SECRETARY-GENERAL DECIDES TO SEND UN HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO NORTHERN CAUCASUS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Press Release
SG/SM/7200

SECRETARY-GENERAL DECIDES TO SEND UN HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO NORTHERN CAUCASUS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has, for some weeks, been concerned about the severe impact of the conflict in Chechnya on the civilian population, many thousands of whom have been driven from their homes.

He is in touch with the Russian authorities and has sent a senior official to Moscow to discuss the possibility of sending a United Nations humanitarian assistance mission to the Northern Caucasus (Ingushetia and Dagestan). Those consultations were successful, and a mission will leave for the region very soon -- possibly before the end of the month.

The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal to both sides in the conflict to show restraint, and to take special care to avoid civilian casualties. While the problem of terrorism is one of legitimate concern to all governments, it is important that the response to it should be proportional, and that the provisions of humanitarian law in armed conflict are respected at all times.

In situations as complex as that in Chechnya, the solution must ultimately be political.

* *** *