DATE=4/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA RIGHTS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-261420
BYLINE=PETER HEINLEIN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A group of prominent Russian politicians is
forming a non-governmental commission to investigate
complaints about human-rights abuses in Chechnya. But
Moscow Correspondent Peter Heinlein reports that
several commission members have close ties to the
Kremlin.
TEXT: The commission will be headed by Member of
Parliament and former Justice Minister Pavel
Krasheninnikov, along with former presidential
candidate Ella Pamfilova.
Speaking to reporters, the two said their objective is
to avoid extreme points of view while putting together
a series of recommendations to the executive and
legislative branches of government.
In a thinly-veiled criticism of atrocity charges
leveled by international human-rights groups, Mr.
Krasheninnikov said the commission would not fight on
the side of the military or on the side of people
known in Russia as - bandit formations. He said the
commission would not answer to either the government
or parliament, but would work with all sources to
examine claims of abuse.
Announcement of the commission's formation coincided
with President-elect Vladimir Putin's visit to
Britain, where he heard sharp criticism of Russia's
offensive in Chechnya.
/// OPT /// When a reporter asked Mr. Putin about the
commission's activities, he answered that he had
learned about it only after his arrival in London.
/// END OPT ///
But the group's two leaders, while not currently
associated with the government, have had warm
relations with the Kremlin in the past.
Mr. Krasheninnikov served as justice minister from
April 1998 until last August. Ms. Pamfilova ran
against Mr. Putin in the recent presidential
elections, but spoke favorably of him during the
campaign.
At the same time, Mr. Putin's human-rights
representative for Chechnya says he opposes outside
investigation into alleged atrocities. Vladimir
Kalamanov told the ITAR-Tass news agency a non-
government inquiry would be improper, because in his
words - only professionals are capable of correctly
investigating violations, if they are found.
In another development, the U-N Human-Rights
Commission has put off a scheduled vote this week on a
European Union resolution denouncing gross violations
by Russian troops in Chechnya. Diplomats in Geneva
are quoted as saying the postponement came after
Russian officials agreed to negotiate a consensus text
of the resolution. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/GE/RAE
17-Apr-2000 12:24 PM EDT (17-Apr-2000 1624 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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