OSCE to reopen office for Assistance Group to Chechnya

MOSCOW, 15 April 2000 - The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner today concluded a visit to the Russian Federation.

In Moscow, she met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. Both the President and Foreign Minister emphasized the OSCE should treat crisis situations in the whole OSCE area in a balanced way. The Chairperson-in-Office and the Russian Foreign Minister discussed many OSCE-related issues.

On Chechnya, the Russian side agreed to co-operate on the planned return of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya. The Chairperson-in-Office confirmed that in keeping with the OSCE Istanbul Summit Declaration, the OSCE will work within the framework of its 1995 mandate, with support of humanitarian projects and human rights work.

The OSCE Assistance Group stands for credible and balanced human rights activities and will work to this effect with the Special Representative of the Russian President for Human Rights in Chechnya, Mr. Vladimir Kalamanov. The OSCE also stands ready to facilitate a political solution with the aim of stabilizing this war-torn republic.

An important part of the visit was a trip to Chechnya, during which the Chairperson-in-Office visited several areas in that Republic, including Grozny. She was appalled by the enormous destruction and human suffering she witnessed. After having seeing Grozny, she said: "I cannot comprehend how such a big city with so many people can be so completely destroyed."

The Chairperson-in-Office also visited a camp for internally displaced persons. As a token of practical assistance to the population, she delivered humanitarian aid to hospitals and schools in the Chechnya Republic.

On Saturday, the Chairperson-in-Office announced the OSCE intends to reopen its office in Chechnya as soon as possible. After a thorough analysis of all implications, the target date for the return of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya has been set for the beginning of May 2000. The office will be located in Znamenskoye, in the northern part of the republic.

The Chairperson-in-Office also visited the Republics of North Ossetia and Ingushetia where she had talks with the Presidents of these republics about the regional repercussions of the Chechnya crisis.