Mr. Chairman, we appreciate Chairman-in-Office Vollebaek's efforts to undertake a mission to the North Caucasus, in furtherance of the Istanbul Summit Declaration. We welcomed his trip to Moscow earlier this week. But we regret, however, that no date has been set for his travel to the North Caucasus. We believe this trip should take place immediately.

We urge Russia to pursue steps toward a political solution today, steps that would include a meaningful role for the OSCE.

Like you, Mr. Chairman, we believe the language of the Istanbul Declaration is clear on this issue. Our Heads of State and Government agreed that "a political solution is essential, and the assistance of the OSCE would contribute to achieving that goal."

The Russian Federation agreed at Istanbul to permit an OSCE mission to the North Caucasus. We expect Russia—like all of us--to live up to all agreements reached during the Istanbul Summit.

We also believe that the OSCE has an important role to play in post-conflict rehabilitation. We urge that this role be defined as an integral part of today's search for a political solution.

In addition, we want to offer our strong support to the EU's call in last week's Permanent Council for the Assistance Group to open a branch office in Ingushetia immediately.