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13 December 1999

Text: Head of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Concerned over Chechnya

(Helle Degn appeals to Russian leaders to protect civilians) (330)
Helle Degn, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has
appealed to Russian leaders "to take immediate steps" to protect the
civilian population in Chechnya and to observe international
humanitarian standards.
Following is the text of her December 10 statement:
(begin text)
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 
Parliamentary Assembly 
10 December 1999
OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT CHECHNYA
SITUATION
COPENHAGEN, 10 December 1999 -- The President of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly Mrs. Helle Degn appealed to the Russian
leadership to take immediate steps to protect the civilian population
in Chechnya and to observe international humanitarian standards.
Mrs. Degn called on the Russian authorities to reconsider its
ultimatum to the citizens of Grozny, due to expire on Saturday, 11
December, giving them no other choice than to leave the city or risk
injury or death.
The President recalled that at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul in
November, Russia accepted that a political solution to the conflict is
essential and welcomed the willingness of the OSCE to assist in the
renewal of a political dialogue. She called upon the Russian
authorities to fulfil their commitments and expressed her hope that
the visit to the region by OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Norwegian Foreign
Minister Knut Vollebaek, will pave the way for a political solution to
the conflict in Chechnya and avert further human suffering.
For further information and requests for interviews with OSCE
parliamentary observers please contact OSCE PA Press Counsellor Jan
R.M. Jooren at the International Secretariat in Copenhagen (Tel.+45 33
37 80 40, Fax+45 33 37 80 30)
OSCE Press and Public Information Section 
Karntner Ring 5-7 
Vienna 1050, Austria 
tel: +43-1 514 36-180 
E-mail: info@osce.org 
Website: http://www.osce.org
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State)