OSCE expert mission returns from Chechnya

VIENNA, 3 March 1995 - The second OSCE mission to the region of the Chechen crisis returned to Vienna on 2 March. The mission, lead by Swiss diplomat Lorenzo Amberg, worked with a mandate comprising the following:

* problems in distributing humanitarian aid* human rights violations* return to rule of law* prospects for free elections in the longer term

In Moscow, the mission held talks at ministerial level. The group also met with NGOs. In Mozdok, Znamenskoye, Grozny, Naltchik and Vladikavkaz, the Mission met military and civilian authorities, humanitarian organization representatives as well as detainees and refugees. The mission's findings confirmed the seriousness of the human rights situation. It also confirmed that the most urgent problems are the distribution of relief goods and access of the ICRC to Chechnya, the security of the civilian population and refugee problems. The mission believes the fundamental issue remains a negotiated ceasefire as the condition for any substantial improvement.

The mission's conclusions and recommendations, including the possibility of establishing a permanent OSCE presence in the region, will be discussed following the submission of the mission's report to the OSCE Permanent Council next week.

Mission members will be returning to Vienna next week to present their report to the OSCE Permanent Council.

NOTE TO EDITORS: There will be no press briefing today on the OSCE mission to Chechnya.