Written Answers. - Chechnyan Crisis.
Ivor Callely
Question:
57
Mr. Callely
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
the period of time Chechnya civilians and Russian troops have been at war; the progress, if any, that has been made to prevent and arrest further killing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7056/95]
In my replies to questions on 24 January and 23 February, I set out in detail the grave concerns of the Government on the crisis in Chechnya. I also outlined the actions which the Government had taken in response to the tragic course of events which have unfolded there.
In November 1991, the Chechen leadership proclaimed Chechnya's independence from Russia. On 11 December 1994, following a period of internal civil strife and a breakdown in negotiations with Moscow, Russian columns began moving into Chechnya, a constituent republic of the Russian Federation. The immediate target was the city of Grozny which Russian Federal forces began shelling on 18 December.
Grozny's infrastructure has been virtually destroyed. Fighting is continuing in towns to the south and east of Grozny, with heavy artillery and high altitude bombing being employed by Russian forces. Perhaps a half a million people have been displaced from their homes.
The Government has from the outset of the conflict, both bilaterally and with our European Union partners, unreservedly condemned the grave abuse of human rights and the high level of civilian casualties. We have urged an end to the fighting and a negotiated solution through the involvement of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); and we are supporting the efforts of the international aid agencies to bring assistance to the victims of the conflict.
While there have been periodic lulls in the fighting, this has increased again in recent days. There have, however, been some encouraging developments. Russia has agreed to a permanent presence of an OSCE assistance group in Chechnya. Its mandate, which is expected to be finalised shortly, will be to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the building of democratic institutions in Chechnya. In addition, the assistance group will have a role in the promotion of human rights; it will work for a cessation of hostilities agreement and will facilitate the establishment of a negotiating framework to elaborate a lasting political solution. The assistance group is expected to be deployed by mid-April.
While we welcome the progress which has been made towards the greater involvement of the OSCE, the European Union has made clear to Russia that it is gravely concerned about the recent upsurge in fighting and that it deplores the continuing loss of life, human rights violations and destruction in Chechnya. With our EU partners, we are continuing to insist that the fighting must stop, that negotiations should begin on a political solution, that aid should be delivered to those in need without hindrance, and that Russia should facilitate the rapid deployment of the OSCE assistance group.
Ireland will continue to work, both bilaterally and with our European Union partners, for an end to the tragedy which has unfolded in Chechnya.
