DATE=11/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=O-S-C-E / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-256308
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=ISTANBUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Organization of Security and Cooperation
in Europe, the O-S-C-E, has opened a two-day summit in
Istanbul to discuss security cooperation among the 54
member nations. But the conflict in Chechnya is
dominating the talks. And as V-O-A Correspondent
Laurie Kassman reports from Istanbul, Russian
President Boris Yeltsin is at the summit to defend his
government's tough policy on Chechnya.
TEXT: One after the other, O-S-C-E leaders sharply
criticized Russian President Boris Yeltsin for the
military offensive in Chechnya. Many complained the
assault violates the principles of the organization's
efforts to resolve conflicts through peaceful
negotiations.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder criticized what he
describes as a disproportionate campaign against
terrorism. He spoke through an interpreter.
/// SCHROEDER INTERREPTER ACT ///
War is no way to eliminate terrorism. The
massive use of force which hits the civilian
population before all else must be ended.
Therefore I urgently appeal to the Russian
leadership: Resolve the conflict by political
means. Respect the rules and principles of O-S-
C-E that we have jointly accepted. Do not
undermine the stability of these principles and
hence that of the organization as a whole.
/// END ACT ///
French President Jacques Chirac called on Russia to
let the O-S-C-E try to help mediate a peaceful
solution.
/// OPT /// Mr. Chirac spoke through an
interpreter.
/// OPT // CHIRAC INTERPRETER ACT///
The human, dramatic consequences of the bombing
of Chechnya and the terrible number of victims
that have been caused, the casualties among the
civilian population are unacceptable. This
offensive is a tragic mistake for the whole
region.
/// END OPT ACT ///
British Foreign Minister Robin Cook wondered aloud if
the high-powered assault against terrorists might not
backfire.
/// COOK ACT ///
Like earlier speakers, I question whether the
scale of the military action in Chechnya will
isolate the terrorists from the general public
or whether it will create support for them among
the wider population who now suffer.
/// END ACT ///
The scowling Russian President Boris Yeltsin did not
waste words in responding: No reproaches, he said, no
sermonizing. Speaking through an interpreter, he
warned his colleagues against criticizing what he
considers a legitimate campaign against terrorism.
/// YELTSIN INTERPRETER ACT ///
You have no right to criticize Russia for
Chechnya. The result of bloody wave of
terrorist acts that has swept over Moscow and
other cities and towns of the country, one-
thousand-580 peaceful inhabitants of our country
have suffered.
/// END ACT ///
The O-S-C-E chairman called on Russia to set a
timetable for the withdrawal of its troops from
Chechnya and has offered its help in seeking a
peaceful solution to the crisis there. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/JWH/KL
18-Nov-1999 07:24 AM EDT (18-Nov-1999 1224 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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