Brussels, 20/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the General Affairs Council adopted conclusions on the war in Chechnya in which the ministers simply restate their appeal for a "peaceful solution to the conflict" and "regret" that Russia has not allowed access to humanitarian aid and independent and transparent inquiries on human rights violations in Chechnya. "Concerned about the continued reports of gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law", the Council calls on the Russian authorities to comply with their commitments and to rapidly launch full and transparent investigations into alleged human rights violations. The ministers note the nomination of a representative for the Russian president for human rights in Chechnya, but regret that Russia has not responded to the EU's request to allow access to Chechnya by international humanitarian aid, and to authorise the International Red Cross to have access to detainees.
The Council also regrets that the way the visit of the head of the OSCE Assistance Group was organised "did not provide a sufficient basis for a decision on its return to the region". It notes that a further visit will be needed to make a true assessment of the situation, including from the security angle. The Council trusts that the invitation to another visit to Chechnya by the UN High Commissioner for Human rights, the president-in-office of the OSCE and the president of the Red Cross will allow the creation of a permanent coordinated international presence in Northern Caucasus and the creation of "productive dialogue on all open questions".
The Council concludes by expressing the hope that presidential elections in Russia "will contribute to stabilising and developing democratic and economic reforms". According to certain indications given on the fringe of the Council, an EU Troika may be in Russia after the elections.