VIENNA, 29 December 1999 -- The
Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister of Norway Knut Vollebaek,
urges the Russian Federation to do everything in its power to prevent further
human suffering caused by the conflict in Chechnya. He reiterates that
all efforts must be made to facilitate international humanitarian assistance
in this respect.
The large remaining civilian population
in Grozny is still subject to a disproportionate and indiscriminate use
of military force. In particular children and elderly must be expected
to be ill, injured or otherwise unable to leave Grozny under the duress
of military hostilities. The Chairman-in-Office reiterates his appeal for
an immediate ceasefire to allow an evacuation of the civilian population
of Grozny.
The Chairman-in-Office also expresses great concern about the regional implications of the conflict in Chechnya. The conflict might endanger regional security and stability.
The Chairman-in-Office encourages the Russian Federation to agree to a role for the OSCE in establishing a dialogue with a view to a political solution to the conflict and in order to alleviate human suffering.
The Chairman-in-Office underlines the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation and condemns terrorism in all its forms.