Moscow, June 14 (RFE/RL) -- Tim Guldimann, head
of the representative mission in Chechnya of the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) met today in Grozny with
pro-Moscow Chechen leader Doku Zavgayev.
Our Moscow correspondent quotes unnamed Russian government officials as saying the two men focused their discussion on the situation in the breakaway republic. According to the officials, it is clear that Guldimann -- earlier criticized by pro-Moscow Chechen officials- will now remain in Chechnya. Zavgayev and other governmental officials had said that Guldimann had been "overstepping the OSCE competences" in Chechnya. Meanwhile, the OSCE mission in Chechnya today expressed concern about what it called a lack of compliance with the peace agreement signed in Nazran. The accord between Russian and Chechen separatist negotiators called for an exchange of prisoners between the two sides. The agreement stipulates Russian military withdrawal from Chechnya. The pullout was reportedly postponed earlier this week.
Russian military officials say that Russian troops are staying in Chechnya to maintaining order and security during today's local vote and presidential elections.
Our Moscow correspondent quotes unnamed Russian government officials as saying the two men focused their discussion on the situation in the breakaway republic. According to the officials, it is clear that Guldimann -- earlier criticized by pro-Moscow Chechen officials- will now remain in Chechnya. Zavgayev and other governmental officials had said that Guldimann had been "overstepping the OSCE competences" in Chechnya. Meanwhile, the OSCE mission in Chechnya today expressed concern about what it called a lack of compliance with the peace agreement signed in Nazran. The accord between Russian and Chechen separatist negotiators called for an exchange of prisoners between the two sides. The agreement stipulates Russian military withdrawal from Chechnya. The pullout was reportedly postponed earlier this week.
Russian military officials say that Russian troops are staying in Chechnya to maintaining order and security during today's local vote and presidential elections.