OSCE sends delegation to Moscow and Chechnya

VIENNA, 24 January 1995 - The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office issued the following press release in Moscow today:

A Delegation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe arrived in Moscow today, and will travel to Chechnya later this week. Members of the Delegation are: Ambassador Istvan Gyarmati, Personal Representative of Hungarian Foreign Minister and Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE Laszlo Kovacs; Ambassador Audrey Glover, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights; Ambassador Rene Nyberg, Head of the Finnish Delegation to the OSCE; Mr. Regis de Belenet, Minister Plenipotentiary, France / EU Presidency; and Mr. Zoltan Nagy of Hungary.

From 25 - 26 January, the delegation plans consultations in Moscow with representatives of the Russian Federation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. From 27-28 January, the Delegation will visit the Chechen Republic. Upon their return, on 29 January, the delegation will hold discussions of the conclusions of the visit with the representatives of the Russian Federation.

The Delegation will base its discussions with representatives of the Russian Federation on its consultations in the region with the representatives of the Chechen people, local authorities, non-governmental and international humanitarian organizations and local inhabitants. The discussions will focus on a possible OSCE contribution to the observation of respect for human rights, the delivery of humanitarian aid, the restoration of constitutional order and organization of free and fair elections in the Chechen Republic.

The Permanent Council of the OSCE which meets weekly in Vienna will discuss the Delegation's proposals at the 2 February meeting.