DATE=11/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA/CHECHNYA UPDATE (L)
NUMBER=2-256060
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A European security organization mission has
cut short a fact-finding mission to the northern
Caucasus after being refused entry to Chechnya.
Correspondent Peter Heinlein in Moscow reports the
delegation's leader is calling for urgent action to
help refugees fleeing Russian air and artillery
attacks.
TEXT: Members of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe mission left the Caucasus
region Thursday saying they were appalled by what they
called the "alarming" plight of Chechen refugees.
Norwegian diplomat Kim Traavik, the delegation leader,
says the team saw first hand evidence of a
humanitarian crisis.
/// Traavik act ///
I said repeatedly, what we have seen leads us to
conclude that we are faced with a very serious
humanitarian problem.
/// End Act ///
After witnessing conditions in refugee camps along the
Chechen border Wednesday, Mr. Traavik was quoted as
saying the war had reached a stage where it was no
longer an internal Russian affair.
But later he backed away from that statement, choosing
his words carefully. He admitted there is little the
international community can do to help the refugees,
or to play a mediating role in the conflict, unless
Russia cooperates.
/// Traavik Act ///
I think we need to work and try to be
imaginative about ideas on how to deal with
this. At the moment, it is a problem that the
Russian Federation is taking the position that
Chechnya is an internal matter.
/// End Act ///
The O-S-C-E team had hoped to travel into Chechnya,
but left after Russian officials refused to allow them
access. Instead, they flew back to Moscow for
meetings with foreign ministry officials to press
their appeal for an increase in humanitarian
assistance.
A Russian negotiator, however, told reporters his
country is capable of taking care of the refugees
themselves.
The O-S-C-E mission is expected to prepare a report to
be presented to the organization's summit meeting next
week in Istanbul. Chechnya is shaping up as one of
the dominant issues at the summit, which will bring
together heads of state and government from 54 member
nations.
/// Opt ///
The Kremlin has indicated President Boris Yeltsin will
attend the gathering, although he has not been to his
office this month, and has been almost absent from
public view since Russia began its military offensive
in Chechnya more than two months ago.
If Mr. Yeltsin is not able to attend the summit, he
will likely be replaced by Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin, the chief architect of the war strategy.
/// End Opt ///
But despite the fierce criticism on both the
humanitarian and military fronts that is certain to be
heard at the Istanbul summit, Russian officials seem
in no mood to compromise.
/// Opt ///
Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, attending a European
Union conference in Helsinki Thursday, said an end to
the military offensive in Chechnya could come only
when Chechens surrender.
But Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen, whose
country holds the rotating European Union presidency,
expressed concern that the situation in Chechnya has
been getting worse instead of better.
/// End Opt ///
Russia's Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev was quoted
Thursday as saying military operations could be over
by the end of the year. He too, however, spoke of an
end to the offensive only when Russia's conditions are
met.
But senior Russian field commanders have warned the
campaign could drag on for up to three years. And
Chechen leaders have vowed to wage a guerrilla
campaign as long as Russian forces remain in the
breakaway region. (Signed)
NEB/PFH/JP
11-Nov-1999 15:35 PM EDT (11-Nov-1999 2035 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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