PACE to discuss results of Chechen referendum

2003-03-31 16:46

COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY BUREAU TO DISCUSS RESULTS OF CHECHEN REFERENDUM

STRASBOURG, March 31, 2003. /From RIA Novosti correspondent Andrei Nizamutdinov/--

The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will discuss the results of the Chechen referendum on Monday, PACE chairman Peter Schieder said at a press conference.

Moreover, at a plenary session on Wednesday a report will be presented on ensuring human rights in the Chechen republic, he added.

The PACE supports any initiative that aims at ensuring peace and stability in Chechnya and complies with the Council of Europe's standards and principles, Schieder emphasised.

Before the referendum, a special committee set up on his request came to the conclusion that the draft Chechen constitution would make it possible to create a new category of institutions and could become the first stage of transferring powers to the republic in line with the Russian Constitution, he recalled.

The PACE Bureau considered a possibility of sending observers to the referendum twice, but refused to do this for security reasons, the PACE chairman explained. Moreover, he said, at the PACE January session, the MPs agreed that they could not ask the Russian authorities to postpone the referendum without proposing an alternative decision.

Estimating the constitution process in Chechnya parliamentarians will proceed from the referendum's results and from how the voting took place, Schieder believes.