Russia Seeks to Get OSCE Involved in Restoring Peaceful Life in Chechnya

Moscow is now engaging in an intensive dialogue with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe /OSCE/ searching for forms of the Organisation's "constructive involvement" in Chechnya's reconstruction. Aleksandr Glushko, in charge of the Russian foreign ministry's pan-European co-operation department, said in a RIA Novosti interview on Tuesday.

In the diplomat's estimate, the practical results of activities of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya are somewhat humble. The group worked in the republic from 1995 to 2002.

Late last year, the Group cut its activities short since the OSCE had not backed Russia's proposals as to the Organisation's involvement in the republic's social and economic revival.

"However, the dissolution of the Group does not mean Russia will terminate co-operation with the OSCE, quite on the contrary," emphasised Mr Glushko.

He said OSCE Ambassador and co-ordinator for the Netherlands OSCE chairmanship Daan Everts had visited Moscow in late April. He held detailed discussions at the Russian foreign ministry and met Chechen vice-premier Nikolai Aidinov, said Mr Glushko.

Mr Everts was updated as to what the republican government needs in the first instance--equipment to produce building material, rebuild roads, clean out debris in Grozny, and medical and school equipment.