28 February 2003
U.S. Concerned about Security, Political Conditions for Chechnya Vote
(Minikes to OSCE about March 23 Chechnya referendum) (640)
The United States is concerned about the security and political
conditions for the March 23 referendum in Chechnya, U.S. Ambassador to
the OSCE told the Permanent Council in Vienna February 27.
"Political debate and dialogue both before and after the March 23
referendum are...absolutely essential to settling the conflict," he
said.
"As for the security situation, we urge all sides to end the violence
- not only during the referendum, but henceforth," Minikes said, and
he also called for accountability for human rights abuses.
He noted that the OSCE and the Council of Europe are undertaking a
joint needs assessment mission to Chechnya "to look into preparations
for the March 23 constitutional referendum and to decide if our
organizations should observe the referendum. We eagerly await the
results of that needs assessment."
Following are Minikes' remarks:
(begin transcript)
United States Mission to the OSCE
STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE COE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MR.
GIL-ROBLES
As delivered by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
February 27, 2003
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would also like to welcome Mr. Gil-Robles
to the Permanent Council. We feel that the close cooperation between
the OSCE and the Council of Europe that exists today has never been
stronger and we look forward to the continued growth of that
cooperative spirit. To quote from the Council of Europe, "the
relationship between the Council of Europe and the OSCE is based on
common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and the
organizations' commitment to mutual reinforcement of action."
Currently, one of the most tangible mutual reinforcements of action is
the joint needs assessment mission to Chechnya that is taking place
this week to look into preparations for the March 23 constitutional
referendum and to decide if our organizations should observe the
referendum. We eagerly await the results of that needs assessment.
Political debate and dialogue both before and after the March 23
referendum are, as the Commissioner says, absolutely essential to
settling the conflict. It is important to facilitate as broad a
dialogue as possible. In this regard, we note that the Russian
authorities have assured the Commissioner that displaced persons will
indeed be able to vote at polling stations in the camps in Ingushetia,
given the security concerns many of the displaced persons would have
if they were moved to Chechnya to vote.
We continue to have concerns about the security and political
conditions of the referendum. As for the security situation, we urge
all sides to end the violence - not only during the referendum, but
henceforth. The full implementation of Decree 80 by the security
forces in Chechnya could go a long way to demonstrate Russian
willingness to improve the overall security climate, which is
essential for long-term stability in Chechnya. Accountability for
human rights abuses also is essential for reconciliation and long-term
stability.
Mr. Chairman, much remains to be done to end the conflict, and with it
the tragic history of human rights violations, to provide
accountability, to strengthen democratic institutions, to promote
public safety, the rule of law, and to bring about social and economic
rehabilitation. The United States believes the OSCE can and should
play an active role in assisting the Russian Federation in this
regard. We support the Chairman-in-Office's attempts to come to a
joint solution with the Russian authorities on future cooperation, in
particular in connection with the letter that the Chairman has written
to Foreign Minister Ivanov on this issue.
The U.S. stands ready to support the efforts of the Chairman and the
Russian government to develop a framework for future cooperation in
Chechnya. Thank you.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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