OSCE Chairman says removal of Chechen rebel chief Basayev "a good thing"

BRUSSELS, 11 July 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, expressed satisfaction today about the elimination of the Chechen rebel commander, Shamil Basayev, in an explosion in southern Russia.

Russian officials say Basayev was killed on Monday when his truck was blown up in Ingushetia during an operation by Russian special forces.

"Basayev was a terrorist of the worst kind," said Minister De Gucht. "He was responsible for some of the most bloody and evil acts, such as the attack on Beslan School Number One in 2004 in which hundreds of children were killed. So, his removal from the scene is obviously a good thing."

The Chairman-in-Office said he hoped Chechnya and the Northern Caucasus could be stabilized as soon as possible, but noted this would need more than just a struggle against terrorist groups such as that run by Basayev.

"More than ever a political process is needed to find a solution to this bloody conflict, in which there have been countless innocent victims," said Minister De Gucht. "And I'd like to restate that, in my view, respect for human rights is just as important as the fight against terrorism."