PRESS RELEASE
March 12, 2014
The U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Ambassador Daniel Baer, stated today that the United States was encouraged by the near consensus reached on an OSCE plan to establish a new, broad-based special monitoring mission for Ukraine.
Following an emergency meeting today of the OSCE’s 57 participating States on a proposal by the organization’s Swiss Chairmanship, Baer said, “As senior U.S. officials have stated, we strongly believe that international monitors in Ukraine, including Crimea, are essential to determine the facts on the ground with regard to security matters and the rule of law, human rights, and media freedom, among other important factors. The Russian Federation has yet to join consensus on this proposal, and we continue to encourage Russia to quickly take the necessary steps – including this step – to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and bring about a diplomatic solution to the crisis.”
