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U.S. Welcomes Russian Steps for Return of OSCE Group to Chechnya

U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) Vienna
October 5, 2000
STATEMENT ON CHECHNYA
DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR DAVID T. JOHNSON TO THE PERMANENT COUNCIL,
VIENNA
October 5, 2000
Thank you, Madame Chairperson.
Like you, we are encouraged by these reports of practical steps the
authorities from the Russian Federation are now taking that could make
possible the long-awaited return of the Assistance Group as we agreed
in Istanbul.
These steps are unmistakably in the right direction, but we must
remind ourselves that they represent only a part of what was promised
nearly a year ago.
At Istanbul, our leaders agreed that a political solution was
essential and they confirmed that the assistance of the Assistance
Group would contribute to achieving that goal, and they reaffirmed the
Assistance Group's existing mandate.
We sincerely welcome these first concrete actions by the Russian
authorities, and hope that more will follow soon. But while this
represents a significant departure from what had become a static
situation, we should not lose sight of the larger picture.
We are indeed pleased that we are stepping forward after months of
delay, but we are now only approaching the starting line.
Thank you.