DATE=11/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / U-N / REFUGEES (L)
NUMBER=2-256332
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=ON THE CHECHEN-INGUSH BORDER
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations high commissioner for
refugees, Sadako Ogata, says refugees fleeing what
Russia calls its anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya
need more humanitarian assistance. Ms. Ogata was able
to visit (Thursday) with refugees in Ingushetia, and
also travel to Russian-occupied northern Chechnya.
Correspondent Eve Conant reports from near the
Chechen-Ingush border on Ms. Ogata's visit.
TEXT:
/// SFX: WOMAN REFUGEE WAILING ///
A Chechen refugee cries out that she is not a
terrorist, hoping U-N High Commissioner for Refugees
Sadako Ogata will hear her, as she tours one of
Ingushetia's largest refugee camps. Flanked by armed
guards, Ms. Ogata was able to do little more than
listen. Her visit was designed to assess the plight
of the more than 210-thousand Chechen refugees who
have flooded into the tiny repubic of Ingushetia.
/// SFX: HELICOPTER FLYOVER ///
Russian helicopter gunships flew overhead toward
Chechnya, and the sound of shelling could be heard in
the distance, as the High Commissioner visited
refugees. Ms. Ogata's whirlwind tour included a visit
to an overcrowded hospital, a main border crossing
with Chechnya and an abandoned train now serving as a
shelter for refugees.
Ms. Ogata also visited northern Chechnya, the Russian-
occupied territory where officials hope to repatriate
refugees. Before leaving Ingushetia, Ms. Ogata
stressed that refugees should not be forced to move
anywhere without their consent. She called for
increased aid for host families, and said there was
concern over the number of civilian casualties.
/// 1ST OGATA ACT ///
At the same time, I think we will try to see
that we can bring in some assistance, but also
try to see how much civilians can be exempted
from all these terrible fates that they're
exposed to.
/// END ACT ///
Ms. Ogata met with Ingushetia's president, Ruslan
Aushev, to discuss how to provide aid to the refugees.
/// 2nd OGATA ACT ///
So, we exchanged our impressions and our views
with the president, trying to find out exactly
what were the basic needs that they had -- I
think a lot of goods for the tents, or
various vehicles, et cetera. Those needs, we
are responding to them, in the form of an appeal
that will be issued early next week. // OPT //
Now as far as managing the camp is concerned,
because of this large influx, I think there may
be some need for a stronger capacity, [and]
larger human resources to be brought in.
Because even if goods arrive, someone has to
distribute them. // END OPT //
/// END ACT ///
Many refugees complain that humanitarian aid is
minimal. The head nurse at Ingushetia's hospital near
the Chechen border says she just received her first
shipment of medical aid after weeks of tending to
hundreds of seriously-injured refugees.
Ms. Ogata is expected to give a detailed report of her
trip in Moscow on Friday. While in Ingushetia, she
explained that more refugees are crossing the border
(from Chechnya) each day, and that she expects the
strain on this small republic to only grow worse.
(Signed)
NEB/EC/WTW
18-Nov-1999 14:53 PM EDT (18-Nov-1999 1953 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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