21 October 1999
Text: Amb. Johnson Statement on Chechnya to OSCE Permanent Council
(Urges combatants in Chechnya to start political dialogue) (670) Ambassador David Johnson, head of the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has commended the Assistance Group for keeping the international community aware of events taking place in the Russian republic of Chechnya. In a statement to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna October 21, Johnson noted that the Assistance Group had helped end the previous round of fighting in Chechnya, and he urged parties to the latest conflict to turn to the group again to help start "a constructive political dialogue." Johnson also said the United States is concerned about reports that municipal authorities in Moscow have "indiscriminately" detained and abused people who appear to be from the Caucasus. "We appreciate reports from the Russian Government that they intend to counter this," he said, and he urged the government to take steps to protect the rights of all citizens, "even as it combats terrorism." Following is the text of his statement: (begin text) U.S. Mission to the OSCE October 21, 1999 STATEMENT ON CHECHNYA DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR DAVID T. JOHNSON TO THE PERMANENT COUNCIL, VIENNA We welcome the report by Ambassador Skagestad, as well as his presence here today. It's a timely reminder of the enormous impact the Assistance Group has had in the past, and its potential to play a key role in the future. We appreciate fully the security concerns that made it impossible for his staff and him to remain in Chechnya, and make an early return difficult to envisage. Nevertheless, the Assistance Group has remained very effective by helping to keep the international community aware of events in Chechnya, and has tried to convey objective information from the outside world to the Chechens. The Assistance Group used its good offices effectively to help end the previous round of fighting in Chechnya. We hope the parties will avail themselves of this opportunity once again. We remain convinced that only through constructive political dialogue can long-lasting stability and security be achieved in the region. We are concerned by reports that the municipal authorities in Moscow are indiscriminately detaining and abusing people who appear to be from the Caucasus. We appreciate reports from the Russian Government that they intend to counter this. We urge the Government of Russia to take those steps to protect the rights of all its citizens, even as it combats terrorism. Moreover, in defending its own territory, we urge Russia should take special care to respect the independence and security concerns of neighboring states, especially Georgia and Azerbaijan. Mr. Chairman, we remain concerned about the potential impact of Russian military activities upon arms control agreements and commitments, and CFE adaptation negotiations, particularly as we head toward Istanbul. We appreciate the Russian commitment to return to compliance with its flank level commitments as soon as possible. It will be important for these commitments to be reaffirmed, with as much detail as possible, and at a senior political level prior to Istanbul. We welcome Russia's decision to provide more detailed information on these activities, and urge Russia to fulfill that commitment rapidly. We believe the situation in Chechnya makes it even more important to make progress before the Summit on related flank issues pertaining to the presence of Russian forces in Moldova and Georgia. We look forward to and expect continued transparency in the CFE and in the Vienna Document context. We call on the Russian Federation to issue a notification in accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV of the Vienna Document. We would encourage information from the Russian Federation to provide relevant information regarding any relationship between the concentration of forces and Chapter V of the Vienna Document on the Observation of Certain Military Activities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)
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