The crisis situation in Chechnya is a matter of profound concern to the Government. Since early September Russian forces have been carrying out a military campaign against Russia's self-ruled, separatist republic of Chechnya, following attacks by rebels based there on the neighbouring republic of Dagestan. The conflict has escalated in the past couple of weeks and the capital Grozny is now surrounded by Russian ground forces, and sporadic fighting is taking place in the suburbs. Russia has indicated that it has established safety corridors' to facilitate the evacuation of the city by the 20,000 to 40,000 civilians remaining there. However, many civilians remain too frightened to use these routes. Chechen President Mashkadov has announced that he is prepared to hold talks with Russian Emergencies Minister, Mr. Sergei Shoigu and the OSCE Chairman in Office, Mr. Knut Vollebaek.
From the beginning of the conflict the issue has been discussed at every meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, and a number of high level demarches have been made to the Russian authorities. The European Council in Helsinki on 10-11 December took a strong stand on this issue. It condemned the intense bombardments of Chechen cities and the treatment of civilians as totally unacceptable. The Council made clear that it expected Russia to abide by the basic principles of humanitarian law, the commitments it has made within the OSCE and its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe. The Council also indicated that it would draw the consequences from the situation in Chechnya for the Union's Common Strategy with Russia, its Partnership and Co-operation Agreement and its TACIS Programme, all of which would be reviewed. The OSCE and the Council of Europe were also invited by the European Council to review, in their field of competence, the modalities of their cooperation with Russia. The European Council Conclusions have been conveyed by Finnish Prime Minister Lipponen to Prime Minister Putin.