02 January 2003
U.S. Disappointed at Russia Decision to End OSCE Chechnya Presence
(Excerpts from Jan. 2 State Department Daily Briefing) (530)
The United States is disappointed with the Russian Government's
decision to end the mandate of the Organization of Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Assistance Group in Chechnya, State
Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said in response to a
journalist's question during the January 2 State Department Daily
Briefing.
"We are engaged in an effort to find a suitable formula as soon as
possible that will allow the mission to continue its constructive
engagement and its highly beneficial humanitarian efforts," Boucher
said. "The United States believes the mission still has a valuable
role to play in promoting and protecting human rights in Chechnya and
in aiding economic development, and we're seeking with other members
of the OSCE to address those concerns."
Boucher was also asked about the Russian request to withdraw the Peace
Corps, saying simply: "The Russian Government expressed its gratitude
for Peace Corps assistance and we're pleased to have had the
opportunity to serve in Russia."
Following is an excerpt from the State Department transcript:
(begin excerpt)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2003
12:50 p.m. EST
BRIEFER: Richard Boucher, Spokesman
RUSSIA
-- End of OSCE Mandate in Chechnya
-- Request to Withdraw Peace Corps
[...]
QUESTION: I hear you'd like the Russians to allow the OSCE mission to
reopen in Chechnya. What are you doing to try and persuade them?
MR. BOUCHER: I think, first of all, we have to say we're disappointed
with the Russian Government's decision to end the mandate of the
Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe Assistance Group in
Chechnya. We are engaged in an effort to find a suitable formula as
soon as possible that will allow the mission to continue its
constructive engagement and its highly beneficial humanitarian
efforts. The United States believes the mission still has a valuable
role to play in promoting and protecting human rights in Chechnya and
in aiding economic development, and we're seeking with other members
of the OSCE to address those concerns.
QUESTION: Speaking of Chechnya and Russia, did you ever get any
satisfactory response as to the closing of the IDP camps in Ingushetia
from the Russians?
MR. BOUCHER: Don't remember. I will check.
QUESTION: Also on Russia, do you have any reaction to their decision
to ban the Peace Corps?
MR. BOUCHER: Have you done that already? I've got the whole guidance
on it, but I'm told Phil has already addressed it. We did get
notification from the Russian Government that it intends to withdraw
from the agreement.
QUESTION: Well, no. Well, they have. I was wondering if you --
Christmas Day -- I don't remember it coming up after. Let me look.
Yes.
MR. BOUCHER: Did you address it on the 27th of December when this was
written, Phil?
MR. REEKER: (Off mike.)
MR. BOUCHER: All right. Anyway. So we got the notification. We believe
they've played a valuable role. The Russian Government expressed its
gratitude for Peace Corps assistance and we're pleased to have had the
opportunity to serve in Russia. I will stop with that.
(end excerpt)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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