31 March 2000
Text: U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Delivers Statement on Chechnya
(U.S. urges Russia to permit rights organizations "unhindered access") (673) U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) David T. Johnson said March 30 that the U.S. government regrets that "security conditions make it impossible to deploy the AG [the OSCE's Assistance Group] in Grozny in the near future." Johnson further stated that the U.S. government supports a temporary Assistance Group facility in Znamenskoye to begin to fulfill the humanitarian portion of its mandate. Johnson also stressed the linkage between the investigation of human rights violations and continuing limitations placed on the operations of the press and international organizations in Chechnya. "The fact that access by international organizations is limited, and that the press cannot operate freely causes us to have doubts about Russia's adherence to human rights commitments and willingness to hold accountable those who perpetrate human rights abuses." Concluding his remarks, Johnson called for Russia "to permit international organizations unhindered access throughout Chechnya," and urged Russia, "to investigate - fully, impartially and under conditions of transparency - allegations of human rights abuses in Chechnya." Following is the text of his statement: (begin text) U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Vienna March 30, 2000 STATEMENT ON CHECHNYA DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR DAVID T. JOHNSON TO THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL Vienna Thank you Madame Chair. We have reviewed with great interest the Assistance Group's report regarding its recent assessment tour of Chechnya. My government regrets that security conditions make it "impossible to redeploy the AG in Grozny in the foreseeable future." We strongly support Ambassador Missong's recommendation to establish a temporary facility in Znamenskoye. Based there, the Assistance Group could start to fulfill the humanitarian part of its mandate and "develop a number of activities and concrete projects in order to fulfill its complete mandate." We note the report says "the human rights situation remains a major concern and should be monitored closely." My government is confident that the Assistance Group will do so. In light of the situation on the ground, we support the Assistance Group's step-by-step approach to redeployment. We expect the Assistance Group will continue to work closely with the Council of Europe, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNHCR, The International Committee of the Red Cross, and other international organizations as well as Mr. Kalamanov's office. My government is encouraged by the Assistance Group's report that Russia is making great efforts to restore electricity, gas and water supplies and rebuild schools and hospitals. We took note of the Russian statement at the UNCHR [United Nations Commission for Human Rights]. Ambassador Ordzhonikidze stressed that Russia has made great strides in guaranteeing human rights and fundamental freedoms to its citizens, and that all the mechanisms to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms in Russia have been created. Transparency about Russian forces' operations and accountability of Russian Government personnel are two of the most important "mechanisms" available to the Russian Government to ensure these freedoms are upheld. If Russia is, as their representative to the Human Rights Commission stated, fully meeting its commitments, there should be no reason to limit access to international organizations to the Chechnya region or access to displaced persons. Similarly, if Russia is upholding its commitments, there is no reason to limit press reporting from the region. However, the fact that access by international organizations is limited, and that the press cannot report freely, causes us to have doubts about Russia's adherence to human rights commitments and willingness to hold accountable those who perpetrate human rights abuses. For this reason, my government continues to call upon Russia to permit international organizations unhindered access throughout Chechnya. We also urge Russia to investigate - fully, impartially and under conditions of transparency - allegations of human rights abuses in Chechnya. Thank you, Madame Chair. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)
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