Rice prods Russia on Georgia, NGOs, press freedom

MOSCOW, Oct 21 (Reuters) U S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tackled Russia tday over its human rights record, meeting editors of a slain journalist and complaining about a new law for foreign aid groups.

Rice also discussed sanctions on North Korea following its nuclear test and urged both Russia and Georgia to reduce tension between their countries.

Before meeting President Vladimir Putin, Rice hosted at her hotel the editors and son of murdered investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a fierce critic of Putin who was gunned down last month outside her home.

''Obviously the fate of journalists in Russia is a major concern,'' Rice said.

After the meeting, editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov gave Rice several gifts, including copies of Novaya Gazeta dedicated to Politkovskaya, and a number of books.

A senior State Department official discounted suggestions that the Russian government might perceive Rice's meeting with the newspaper editors as criticism of Kremlin policies.

''We planned this not as a poke in the eye but an absolutely necessary and human step,'' said the official, who described the meeting as very emotional for Rice, who speaks Russian.

The United States and Russia cooperate on matters from North Korea to Iran and the global fight against terror, but there are tensions over press freedoms and other human rights issues.

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