DATE=12/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA RIGHTS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257144
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russia's Human Rights Commissioner, Oleg
Miranov, has discussed the Chechen situation with the
United Nations' top human-rights official, Mary
Robinson. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the Russian
official told Ms. Robinson that he would arrange a
visit to Chechnya for her, to evaluate the situation
in the war-torn region.
TEXT: In a meeting with journalists here in Geneva,
Russia's top human-rights official, Oleg Miranov,
vigorously defended his country's military actions in
Chechnya. He said the people in Chechnya were tired
of living under what he calls "a criminal regime."
Mr. Miranov says the only way to fight terrorism is by
military power.
He told reporters he believes the United Nations' Mary
Robinson has not been well-informed about the true
situation in Chechnya. And, he adds, he believes she
will get a different view once she has a chance to
visit refugee camps and speak to the people.
Mr. Miranov spoke through an interpreter:
/// 1st MIRANOV ACT (IN RUSSIAN) W/ INTERPRETER ///
People will tell her or her representative that
we've been suffering for 10 years. Neither the
right to life or immunity is guaranteed to them.
Those people need protection. The only way to
protect them is to put an end to terrorist
bands.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Miranov denied reports that Russian soldiers were
guilty of abusing Chechen civilians. He admitted that
certain soldiers may have violated the human rights of
some people. But, he says these are exceptions, and
do not indicate a systematic policy of abuse by the
Russian military. He says it is true that Chechnya's
civilian population is suffering, and that many have
been forced to leave their homes. But, the Russian
Human Rights Commissioner says that by getting rid of
terrorists, the Russian government is saving hundreds
and thousands of lives.
/// 2ND MIRANOV ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///
It's not the policy of the policy of the federal
government to destroy the Chechen population. I
admit hat there may be victims or casualties as
a result of lack of precision during the
military operations. This happens, and we can
remember Balkan operation [NATO's assault on
Serbia] what happened there.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Miranov says he has no plans to travel to the
Caucasus region to try to negotiate a settlement in
Chechnya, because it is not his job to be on the
battlefield. He says his job is to prevent human-
rights violations, and to help refugees. (Signed)
NEB/LS/GE/WTW
14-Dec-1999 14:43 PM EDT (14-Dec-1999 1943 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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