INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS

Moscow's ferocious assault on Chechnya has endangered relations between Russia and other countries. Today, British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd lashed out at Moscow, calling the operation a "botched job" and offering one million pounds ($1.57 million) for humanitarian efforts. "What cannot be obscured is the scale of the suffering, particularly among civilians, brought about by the wholly disproportionate use of force by the Russian military," Hurd said. Hurd's strong statement stands in sharp contrast to the gentle treatment Yeltsin received yesterday from U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who only warned that Congress may withhold Russian aid in the future.