15 October 1999
Text: U.S. Statement on Chechnya to OSCE Permanent Council Oct. 14
(Discusses Chechnya, adapted CFE Treaty) (680) David T. Johnson, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna October 14 that the United States "remains concerned about the continuing hostilities in the North Caucasus." Johnson urged Russia to "bear in mind" that "in dealing with a terrorist threat, the use of indiscriminate or disproportionate force is likely to prove counterproductive." He also urged Russia to "seek out opportunities for a constructive dialogue with reasonable and legitimate interlocutors" and "to think actively and creatively about using whatever possibilities the [OSCE] Assistance Group may have to offer." The events in Chechnya, Johnson said, "add to the challenge" of negotiating an adapted Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty in time for the November 18-19 OSCE Summit in Istanbul. "We believe Russia should work with redoubled efforts together with Moldova and Georgia to ensure that there are concrete results by Istanbul on removing Russian forces from Moldova, and reducing the Russian military presence in Georgia to levels that would be consistent with the adapted CFE Treaty," Johnson concluded. Following is the text of the statement: (begin text) U.S. MISSION TO THE OSCE Vienna October 14, 1999 STATEMENT ON CHECHNYA DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR DAVID T. JOHNSON TO THE PERMANENT COUNCIL Mr. Chairman, we remain concerned about the continuing hostilities in the North Caucasus. The issue here for us is not Russia's territorial integrity, which every Government represented around this table strongly supports. Nor is it about Russia's legitimate right to combat terrorism, a right we all affirm and wish to assist in. It is not even an issue of interference in the internal affairs of Russia-for better or worse, the problems of the North Caucasus are Russia's to solve. We all recognize that there are no easy solutions here. As so often happens, one must choose among a series of not-so-pleasant options. As the Russian authorities examine their alternatives, we would urge them to bear in mind four considerations. First, security is indivisible. The actions taken in the North Caucasus will affect not only Russia's neighbors, but all of us, to one degree or another. Second, in dealing with a terrorist threat, the use of indiscriminate or disproportionate force is likely to prove counterproductive. Third, Russia should seek out opportunities for a constructive dialogue with reasonable and legitimate interlocutors. Fourth, in this connection, we are reminded of the vital role played by the OSCE's Assistance Group in 1994-96. We urge Russia to think actively and creatively about using whatever possibilities the Assistance Group may have to offer. Mr. Chairman, the Russian Federation's continuing deployment of military forces is a matter of concern to her neighbors and all other OSCE states. Such concern can be alleviated by openness and transparency regarding this concentration, in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Document 1994. We note that the Russian Federation has provided information, in the context of that Document, concerning its concentration of forces. The provision of further details would be a demonstration of good will and fulfillment of commitments in the larger OSCE context. Finally, Mr. Chairman, one of the unfortunate outcomes of events in Chechnya is that they add to the challenge of negotiating an adapted CFE Treaty in time for Istanbul. The question of compliance with arms control limits is complicated. But we can all understand the political difficulty of signing a Treaty, an essential provision of which might already have been breached at the time of signature. It is incumbent on those who claim they are forced by circumstance to depart from agreements to demonstrate their intent to return to them. We believe Russia should work with redoubled efforts together with Moldova and Georgia to ensure that there are concrete results by Istanbul on removing Russian forces from Moldova, and reducing the Russian military presence in Georgia to levels that would be consistent with the adapted CFE Treaty. (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State) (end text)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
