Mr. Chairman, we note continuing reports of Russian armed forces' heavy use of air and artillery strikes in their combat operations throughout Chechnya. Civilians not involved in the fighting have been killed and injured by these attacks.

The United States does not question Russia's need to combat terrorism nor its right and obligation to defend its territorial integrity.

Nonetheless, the means that Russia is employing to achieve these objectives remain a source of concern, as was made clear by President Clinton at the Istanbul Summit. We urge that Russia, consistent with paragraph 36 of the Code of Conduct, avoid both the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force and further injury to civilians and their property.

We remain hopeful that Russia will take steps to deal with immediate humanitarian problems, ensure freedom of movement, and provide for the well-being of displaced people.

We also note the pending visit to the region by the Chairman-in-Office. This step will be important in moving towards a political solution to the conflict. We expect the Russian government, in this context, to live up to its commitments in paragraph 19 of the Code of Conduct and to the agreements reached during the Istanbul Summit.

Mr. Chairman, press reports and statements from senior Russian military authorities indicate that combat operations in Chechnya entered a new, third phase last week. It is wholly appropriate, therefore, that the Russian Federation update its October 28 Vienna Document notification to inform all OSCE participating States of this and all phases of its operations in the North Caucasus.

Finally, we remain interested in hearing from the Russian Federation about its plans to issue invitations to an observation of this military activity.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.