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27 October 1999

Text: UNHCR Ogata Alarmed about Civilian Casualties in Chechnya

(Ogata expresses "grave concern" at closure of Chechnya's border)
(440)
In a statement issued in Geneva October 25, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Sadako Ogata expressed "alarm about
reports of growing civilian casualties resulting from Russia's
military crackdown in Chechnya where there is virtually no
international humanitarian or monitoring presence."
Ogata also expressed "grave concern" at the closure of Chechnya's
border with Ingushetia, the main escape route by which 170,000
refugees have fled the conflict in recent weeks.
"Borders must remain open for all those who are afraid and who are
forced to flee," she said.
While the UNHCR has been able to send four large humanitarian convoys
to Ingushetia over the past four weeks, international aid agencies
have been unable to deploy international staff due to security
concerns, according to the release.
Following is the text of the UNHCR release:
(begin text)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Geneva
25 October 1999
OGATA ALARMED ABOUT THE CLOSURE OF CHECHNYA'S BORDER, CIVILIAN
CASUALTIES
Today (Monday) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) expressed alarm about reports of growing civilian casualties
resulting from Russia's military crackdown in Chechnya where there is
virtually no international humanitarian or monitoring presence.
High Commissioner Sadako Ogata also expressed grave concern over the
fate of tens of thousands of terrified civilians trapped inside
Chechnya, following the closure of Chechnya's border with Ingushetia.
"Borders must remain open for all those who are afraid and who are
forced to flee," said Ogata. UNHCR said the closure of the principal
border crossings had cut off the main escape route which more than
170,000 people had used over the past weeks to flee the conflict. The
exodus caused the northern Caucasus' most acute humanitarian crisis
since the 1994-95 war in Chechnya. UNHCR local staff in Ingushetia
said some border crossings were open to pedestrians but most of the
flow was stopped.
UNHCR said it expressed concern to the Russian authorities in Moscow
over the border closure. Local officials assured UNHCR that the move
was a "temporary measure" but it was not clear when the border would
re-open.
Over the past four weeks, UNHCR has sent four large humanitarian
convoys to help Ingushetia deal with the influx of people, thousands
of whom have had to be accommodated in tents and ruined buildings.
Aid operations are severely complicated by a precarious security
situation which prevents international aid agencies from deploying
international staff in the area.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)