Thank you, Madame Chairperson.

We observe with great concern and regret the recent reports of the deteriorating human rights conditions in Chechnya and the worsening security situation in that region.

In his state of the nation address, President Putin characterized the Chechen campaign as an "anti-terrorist operation." That makes it doubly important that efforts to restore authority be recognized as adhering to established legal and moral principles. It is imperative that international human rights standards be maintained, and that international observers be allowed entry into Chechnya to evaluate the current situation. These reports of human rights abuses should be fully investigated, and -- if true -- the responsible parties should be held accountable.

If anything, recent events have demonstrated that there cannot be a purely military solution to this conflict: a policy that mandates such drastic civilian casualties ultimately cannot succeed without a political solution. As we have stated in the past, it is imperative that the Russian Federation endeavor to solve the Chechen crisis through cooperation with the international community.

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s new foreign policy doctrine, personally endorsed by President Putin, states that "The main aim of Russian foreign policy in Europe is the creation of a stable and democratic system of European security and cooperation. Russia is interested in the further balanced development of the multi-functional character of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and will make efforts in this direction."

We fully support this objective and urge the Russian authorities to serve as an example of stability and democracy in accordance with OSCE norms and principles. We remind the Russian Federation of the commitments it made at Istanbul to all OSCE member states, including the unambiguous statement that "We reaffirm the existing mandate of the OSCE Assistance Group of Chechnya." These assurances were later reiterated by President Putin to our current Chairperson-in-Office.

We cannot allow decisions by this Council and by our heads of government—carefully drafted and agreed to by consensus—to be unilaterally abrogated or re-written.

For these reasons, we urge full implementation of the measures outlines at Istanbul, transparent and impartial investigations of alleged human rights abuses, and the speedy return of the OSCE AG to the region.

We fully support Ambassador Missong and the CiO’s dogged efforts to settle all outstanding issues and return his mission to Chechnya.

We call upon the Russian Federation to assist, not hinder, the operations of the Assistance Group. Discussions about logistics should not be used as artificial devices to prevent redeployment of the AG to the region. We also do not understand the Russian government’s reluctance to grant diplomatic status to the Assistance Group.

Finally, we call on the Russian authorities to respond positively, and without any further delay, to the recommendation adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights in April, particularly regarding the imperative need for establishment of an independent commission of inquiry and for visits to Chechnya and other parts of Russian Federation by the commission’s special rapporteurs.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.