We would like to thank Ambassador Missong for the full and very interesting account he provided on his visit last Saturday to Chechnya. While his visit was useful, we have been concerned that he was not able to address issues specific to the Assistance Group’s mission.

We note Ambassador Missong’s belief that he and other Assistance Group members will be able to conduct an assessment trip to Chechnya very soon to explore the conditions for the Group’s return to the North Caucasus. We call upon the Russian Federation to arrange for such a trip to take place in the very near future.

We call once again on Russia to ensure free movement to the Assistance Group in and around Chechnya, in accordance with the Group’s mandate.

We would also like to express our satisfaction that Russian authorities have apprehended Chechen field commander Salman Raduyev, who is suspected of taking part in terrorist activities. It will be important that he receive fair and impartial treatment under the Russian judicial system, with full rights accorded to accused criminals.

Madame Chairperson, we are aware of comments from Russian officials threatening sanctions against media outlets that air the views of Chechen rebel leaders.

Freedom of the press is a hallmark of a democratic society. The United States believes that the airing of competing views, even those considered unpleasant, is necessary to ensure that the citizens of a democracy can engage in an informed debate about issues of concern.

One of the most noteworthy achievements of the Russian people since they abandoned Communism has been the growth of news media, free from government restraint. Acting President Putin wrote in his open letter to the Russian people of February 25 that the Russian press "is already free forever."

We are troubled by any attempt to reverse that positive trend and call on Russia to fulfill its OSCE commitments on freedom of the press.