Thank you, Madame Chairperson.

As we have consistently stated, we believe that it is important that the Russian Federation engage constructively with the international community on the problems posed by the situation in Chechnya.

In this context, we believe that access to impartial and accurate reporting on events is essential in a situation as complex as Chechnya - not just for the international community, but also for the people of Russia.

The Russian Government has consistently stated that it is only restoring peace to a region beset by terrorists and bandits. If this is so, then there is no better action the Russian government can take than to allow international observers and journalists into the region and to let the facts speak for themselves.

It is for this reason that we feel the Russian Press Ministry's prohibition on the broadcasting or printing the views of Chechen rebel leaders is an unwarranted and counterproductive restraint on the freedom of the media.

The freedom of the press has always been a cornerstone of all democratic societies, and we regard the emergence of a news media independent of government control as one of the most significant positive developments which has taken place under Russia's post-communist, democratic government.

However, the Russian Press Ministry's recent actions threaten to reverse this positive trend, re-imposing state control over the media and contravening OSCE principles of free expression.

Madame Chairperson, we are encouraged by plans for upcoming visits to Russia by our OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson. We urge the Russian Federation to grant both visitors unhindered access to the region, and we look forward to their reports.

To us, these projected visits represent steps in the right direction - toward greater openness and access. For this reason, we also look forward to hearing from Ambassador Missong on the results of the Assistance Group’s fact-finding mission to Chechnya this week.

After hearing Ambassador Missong’s report, we will best be able to determine the most effective and appropriate role that the Assistance Group can play in pursuing its mandate in the north Caucasus, and in coordinating and facilitating the distribution of humanitarian aid.