Strasbourg, 14/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a resolution tabled by the Liberal Group on Chechnya, in its emergency debate, the EP proposes setting up a joint delegation with the Duma to go to the north Caucasus and to meet the Russian authorities there and Chechen representatives. The EP urges the EU to draw up a reconstruction programme for Chechnya with the Russian authorities and Chechen representatives once a cease-fire has been decreed.
By adopting amendments lodged by the Liberals themselves, Parliament abolished a whole series of paragraphs that raised the issue of the violation of human rights and allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and chose not to welcome the declaration made by Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner, calling for an independent enquiry into the atrocities alleged to have been committed by the Russians in Chechnya. The EP even made sure it did not subscribe to the recommendation that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted on 6 April calling for Russia's suspension if it did not immediately decree a cease-fire and engage in dialogue. EUROPE recalls that the Assembly also suspended the Russian delegation's right to vote within its body.
Commissioner Pascal Lamy recalled that the EU had "not received a satisfactory reply" to three repeated requests of Moscow over Checnya, but said that Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov had finally agreed to the missions of a Troika of EU ambassadors and the EU's Humanitarian Office, Echo. Mr. Lamy also insisted that the Russian authorities implement all aspects of the Partnership Agreement.