The U.S. shares the deep concerns about the human rights situation in Chechnya as just expressed by the European Union, concerns which have also been raised in recent days by Human Rights Watch and other credible international observers.

In her meeting last week with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Ivanov, Secretary Albright expressed our deep concern about the alarming reports of human rights violations from Chechnya.

She also urged Russian officials to open an OSCE office in the region under the existing Assistance Group mandate. The first point of this mandate is to, "promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the establishment of facts concerning their violation."

We understand that Acting Russian President Putin has named Vladimir Kalamanov, Chief of the Federal Migration Service, as a Special Representative to respond to complaints about human rights abuses in Chechnya. We welcome this development.

The Russian Government has a clear obligation to conduct without delay a thorough and transparent investigation of the numerous credible reports of civilian killings and alleged misconduct by Russian soldiers.

Prompt action would demonstrate Russia's respect for its international commitments and obligations regarding the treatment of noncombatants.

We also urge the Russian Government to provide international observers such as the International Committee of the Red Cross immediate access to detention camps in the region.

The U.S. also remains deeply concerned about the fate of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Andrei Babitsky, and we call for an urgent, transparent investigation to determine his whereabouts.