Chechnya

Statement: U.S. Support for Elections in Chechnya

U.S. Department of State
97/01/06
Office of the Spokesman

 

Press Statement by Nicholas Burns/Spokesman
January 7, 1997

              U.S. Support for Elections in Chechnya


The United States welcomes continuing progress in preparing for elections in Chechnya, scheduled for January 27. These elections are an important part of the process of reconciliation and could constitute another step toward establishing democratic institutions and legitimate government in Chechnya. The U.S. welcomes recent statements of support for the electoral process by senior Chechen and Russian officials.

We believe that the OSCE can play a constructive role in improving the quality of these elections and we have pledged sixty thousand dollars to the OSCE's Chechen election assistance fund.

We have been encouraged by the generous support that other OSCE participating states have contributed to this purpose.

We attach paramount importance to the safety of all foreign assistance workers in Chechnya and will continue to follow closely the security situation there. We note that Chechnya remains an area of instability.

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