OSCE mission to go into Chechnya but Russian forces will remain
Friday, 19 November 1999 19:22
The summit of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has ended in Istanbul with a call for a political settlement to end the Chechen conflict, but Russia has indicated that it is largely unconcerned. Although Russia signed the final accords, officials said there would be no withdrawal of Russian forces and no mediation role for the OSCE. Russia's Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, said an international envoy appointed by the OSCE would only be allowed to visit those areas of Chechnya controlled by Russian forces.
Earlier, the leaders of 54 countries, including the United States and Russia, agreed that a political solution is essential to end the war in Chechnya. And in the declaration adopted at the end of the OECE summit, Moscow agreed to allow a delegation from the OSCE to visit the region.
