16 January 1995

Doc. 7222

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the invasion of Chechnya

presented by Mr LAANOJA, Estonia, SOC

and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      In numerous international and intergovernmental forums, Russia has committed itself not to use military power against opposition parties. Nevertheless, on 11 December 1994, Russian forces entered the territory of Chechnya to overturn the constitutional government of this region, whose inhabitants have declared their will for independence -the unconditionally recognised international right of every nation.

      This behaviour shows that Russia is unwilling to follow the Council of Europe's standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Following the military actions of the former Soviet army in Baku, Yerevan, Vilnius and Riga - the invasion of Chechnya is simply the latest case, proving the absence of democratic experience and the imperialistic aims of some rulers in Russia. The danger is that the military conflict will last as long as the war in Afghanistan.

      Deeply concerned about these developments in the northern Caucasius, the undersigned, members of the Assembly, call for the immediate withdrawal of Russia's army units from Chechnya and for a continuation of the search for peaceful solutions to the conflicts in this region of small, but freedom-loving nations.

Signed:

(see overleaf)

Signed:

Laanoja, Estonia, SOC

Özver, Turkey, EPP

Yürür, Turkey, EDG

Andriukaitis, Lithuania, -

Robles Orozco, Spain, EPP

Cucó, Spain, SOC

Guirado, Portugal, SOC

Hint, Estonia, LDR

Hooper, United Kingdom, EDG

Van Nieuwenhoven, Netherlands, SOC

Cox, United Kingdom, SOC

Gusenbauer, Austria, SO

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left