Novye Izvestia
February 7, 2003

SERGEI KOVALEV: A REFERENDUM IN CHECHNYA IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT A STABLE TRUCE

Prominent human rights activist challenges the Russian delegation

Author: Zoya Svetova

[from WPS Monitoring Agency, www.wps.ru/e_index.html]

SERGEI KOVALEV, DUMA MEMBER, WAS THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO EXPRESS A DISSENTING OPINION AT THE PACE MEETING IN STRASBOURG. HIS OPINION WAS NOT REPORTED BY THE RUSSIAN MEDIA. KOVALEV DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE REFERENDUM ON A CONSTITUTION FOR CHECHNYA WILL BE VALID.

"The existing documents on Chechnya (primarily the conclusions of the legal Committee formulated by Mr. Binding, and Lord Judd's report)  do include some principal provisions. I can mention the conclusion on  the global significance of the Chechnya conflict alone - that its   xistence demeans the dignity of the Council of Europe, that there is  an atmosphere of lawlessness and impunity in Chechnya. There are no  false references to any substantial progress this time. And of course,  I can mention the statement about the impossibility of holding the   referendum in March."

This is an excerpt from the speech of Sergei Kovalev, Duma member, at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)  meeting in Strasbourg on January 28. Kovalev was the only member of  the Russian parliamentary delegation to express a dissenting opinion.  Moreover,  his opinion was not reported by the Russian media. Its  repots and commentary from Strasbourg implied that the Russian  delegation rallied around Dmitry Rogozin - to challenge the majority  of European parliamentarians who objected to the referendum in  Chechnya being held on March 23.

Why does Kovalev object to the referendum which the Kremlin is so determined to carry out?

Kovalev: It isn't hard to predict how the referendum will be organized in an atmosphere of continuing armed clashes, clean-up  operations, a curfew, and so on. Anyone who challenges Akhmad  Kadyrov's version of the constitution may well disappear without a  trace. Thousands already have. Supporters of the federal authorities,  on the other hand, will  be assassinated by guerrillas.

"I tried to explain that the date as such is immaterial," Kovalev said. "But a stable truce is needed, at least. The resolution does not mention that. In fact, some provisions of the document make it clear that its authors got carried away. Take, for example, the provision on free political debate in the free and independent media. What  political  parties, what media do they mean? There is a guerrilla war  underway in Chechnya, a war with no rules."

The initial draft of the PACE resolution stated that the Russian government could not ensure the necessary conditions for the   referendum in Chechnya by March 23. Debates between Lord Judd and  Rogozin  resulted in the following wording: "The PACE is concerned that  the conditions necessary for the referendum may not be in place by  that date."

According to Kovalev, the Russian delegation considers this amendment  to the resolution as its own triumph. "However, provided the  PACE retains its policy, this defeat will not amount to much," he  said. "The  problem is that the PACE does not intend to monitor the situation in Chechnya."  Kovalev criticized the Europeans for their politically tactful compliments to Russia and President Putin. "I do not trust the sincerity of these evaluations," Kovalev said in Strasbourg. "Unfortunately, this diplomacy by the PACE-Duma Commission has already drawn the PACE into an imitation of political processes. We   participate in deception, and are getting what we deserve - Mr.  Rogozin issues ultimatums, the Russian delegation uses straight-out  blackmail. The policy of appeasing the Kremlin has led the PACE into a  blind alley."

What was the outcome of the scandal over Lord Judd's resignation and  the resolution on Chechnya? As far as Kovalev is concerned, the  resolution does condemn the referendum.

One other point: Rogozin has not yet achieved everything he is out to achieve. His suggestion about disbanding the PACE-Duma working  group was not accepted. Lord Judd will retain his position until March  23.

Besides, the PACE is not sending its observers to the referendum. This means that the Council of Europe is not going to recognize the referendum's results.