LUXEMBOURG, April 15 (Reuters) - The European Union told Russia on Tuesday it
saw signs of progress in Moscow's policy towards Chechnya but wanted more
action to improve human rights in the separatist region, EUsources said.
"We are seeing some positive signs, such as the high participation in a recent
referendum and the proposal for a new constitution," one source said following
talks between senior EU officials and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
"But there is still work to be done, especially on human rights issues," the source
added.
Chechens voted overwhelmingly to approve a new constitution entrenching the region
within Russia in a referendum at the end of March. Separatist rebels have dismissed
the poll as a farce.
On Monday, monitors from U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said raids by masked soldiers,
illegal arrests and disappearances were still frequentin Chechnya despite the
vote, which Moscow said had isolated rebels and paved the way for peace.
EU and Russian officials also discussed a request by Moscow to set up a joint
forum to debate developments concerning the future European Security and Defence
Policy (ESDP).
The European Commission said it was too early to define how to shape increased
cooperation with Russia in this field.
"For the moment, we are still at the exploring stage, particularly on the ESDP
where we note the Russian request," Commission spokeswoman. Emma Udwin told reporters
in Brussels.
Ivanov also discussed the Iraq situation with EU officials, but sources declined
to give details and Ivanov left Luxembourg without talking to journalists.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment: It is now almost ten years that the EU "sees encouraging signs
from Russia on Chechnya", while people continue to "disappear" and mass graves
are found everywhere. Everyone who takes the matter seriously knows very well
what kind of message the EU continues to send to Russia: "You can rape, torture
and kill if you wish, but please to it quietly and don't put ourselves in an embracing
situation. Then we will continue to shut our eyes and back your genoicidal political
establishment."