DATE=12/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / CHECHNYA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257339
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Chechen refugees are allegedly being
intimidated to return to Chechnya. Lisa Schlein in
Geneva reports the U-N Refugee Agency says it is
concerned about reports of refugees in Ingushetia
being forced to go back to so-called safe areas in
Chechnya.
TEXT: Russia's Migration Service estimates about 50-
thousand refugees in Ingushetia have returned to the
homes they fled in Chechnya.
U-N-H-C-R spokesman Paul Stromberg says many of these
people may have been persuaded to go back because of
the difficult conditions existing in the camps in
Ingushetia. But, he says there are reports that
people are being told they must go home.
/// STROMBERG ACT ONE ///
There seems to be pressure on many of the
Chechens during distributions or in the camps,
information passed to these people that they
should or should consider going home. And,
obviously we are concerned that this be a free
decision, that they do it with full knowledge of
the conditions in Chechnya.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Stromberg says the possibility of people returning
to Chechnya right now appears very remote as heavy
bombardment is going on in the capital, Grozny. And,
he says refugees are continuing to flee into
Ingushetia.
Since Russia began its military offensive in Chechnya
at the end of September, about one-quarter-million
people have escaped to Ingushetia. They are living in
squalid, overcrowded camps. Many are in tents.
A first convoy of foreign aid workers is travelling to
Ingushetia (Wednesday) from the Russian city of
Stavropol. Under a new arrangement with the Russians
guaranteeing their security, they will be provided
with heavily armed escorts.
Mr. Stromberg says international staff has stayed
clear of the area throughout the crisis for fear of
being kidnapped.
/// STROMBERG ACT TWO ///
So the staff that will go in today and, we hope
frequently to Ingushetia, to the border areas,
are not only going to help in the camps. But,
they will witness what is going, talk directly
to the refugees and be, in a sense, the
international community's eyes and ears, and be
able to report back from witnesses who have just
left Chechnya, what is going on there.
/// END ACT //
Mr. Stromberg says the aid workers going to Ingushetia
have a great deal of experience in emergency
situations and in the field of protection. He says
they will be able to intervene with the authorities to
make sure no refugee is sent back to Chechnya against
his or her will. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/RAE
22-Dec-1999 07:57 AM EDT (22-Dec-1999 1257 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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