Brussels, 21/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Council President Bertel Haarder, who presented the results of the EU/Russia Summit of 11 November to the Parliament on Wednesday (see EUROPE of 13 November, p.9), mainly welcomed the agreement on Kaliningrad and the joint declarations on terrorism and the Middle East. "We had an open discussion on the situation in Chechnya and repeated to President Putin that the fight against terrorism must be accompanied by respect of human rights", he added. Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson mainly pointed out that the "EU must cooperate with Russia in order to resolve economic and development problems and the Kaliningrad issue". During the debate, the president of the EPP-ED Group, Hans-Gert Pöttering, who welcomed the fact that the Chechen Congress was held in Copenhagen, said "we must not give way to pressure" (an allusion to the refusal by the Russian government to go to the Danish capital for the EU/Russia Summit since the government had authorised the congress to be held). The German MEP, who was "shocked" by the remarks of Russian President Putin when speaking to a journalist who was putting questions to him on Chechnya (EUROPE of 13 November, p.9), requested that, during the next EU/Russia summits, the situation in Chechnya should be the subject of votes and proceedings. He hoped the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad would not become a "no man's land between the EU and Russia". Speaking for the PES, Finnish national Reino Paasilinna also insisted on the development of Kaliningrad and, on the subject of Chechnya, noted that "the fight against terrorism sometimes acts as an umbrella and alibi for violence" (he pointed out that he had received an invitation to go to Chechnya from a special representative of the Russian President for Kaliningrad, Dimitry Rogozine,. Another Finnish national, Olavi Seppänen pointed out, on behalf of the GUE/NGL, that the "EU did not call for Chechnya's independence" during the Summit. Speaking for the UEN, French national Jean-Charles Marchiani pleaded in favour of Russia, saying he supported "EU membership for this country of Christian tradition". Calling for the "mistake of Kosovo not to be repeated", he felt that the link between Islamic terrorism and Chechnya is clear: "Chechnya serves as a base for international terrorism and for trafficking of all kinds". This speech was a blow to Bernd Posselt (CSU), from Germany, who said that, as a Christian, he was ashamed of the remarks by Mr Marchiani. "Killing is not synonymous with Christianity", he exclaimed, asking Commissioner Nielson why he had cancelled a trip to Chechnya but agreed to go to Saint Petersburg. Olivier Dupuis, on the Lista Bonino, ironically addressed MEP Reino Paasilinna saying "take Mr Nielson with you to Chechnya", and vigorously questioned Mr Haarder on the arrest of Akhmet Zakaiev (Chechen Vice Prime Minister arrested in Copenhagen at the request of Russia after the hostage taking at the theatre in Moscow).
After this debate that he described as "heated", Mr Haarder felt that "if one wants Russia to go along the right lines, then a forum is needed and I do not mind whether it is in Copenhagen or in Brussels". Mr Zakaiev, he explained, was in a Danish prison being treated "according to the rules of international law". Rallying "one hundred percent to the declaration by Mr Haarder", Mr Nielson explained his absence in Chechnya by the fact that he wished to remain "within the limits of his competences". Olivier Dupuis, who felt the humanitarian situation in Chechnya warranted the Commissioner's presence, asked: "either you tell us what prevents your going there, or you resign". Mr Nielson retorted: "two years ago I was in Chechnya, so I have not neglected this country".
With the adoption of a resolution by the EPP-ED, ELDR and PES (which added its signature when the GUE/NGL had just withdrawn its own), the EP recommends that the EU's common strategy for Russia be updated so that, above all, it can be adapted to the new challenges resulting from the international situation. The resolution, adopted by 387 to 23 and 44 abstentions, gives the conflict in Chechnya a large place: the EP regrets that the EU/Russia Summit has not reached a common position on this and insists on a political solution leading to a referendum on adoption of a new constitution defining power-sharing between the republic and federal state, followed by elections and the reestablishment of an elected government in Chechnya. The Parliament recognises the right of states to "defend their population against terrorist attacks, but expects Russia to ensure that anti-terrorist measures are not out of proportion and are fully conform to the rule of law". The EP also invites the Russian authorities to allow free access in Chechnya by international organisations, independent media and human rights observers to improve the fate of the refugees and displaced persons and to guarantee that the repatriation of internally displaced persons and refugees is done on a voluntary base only.