Speech to the Council of Europe

By Helle Degn 6 April 2000
The general collapse and lack of order in Chechnya and the rest of the Caucasus region cannot be handled by military means or by other repressive or suppressive means. Nor can it be handled separately or by one nation state; we must underline that fact to our Russian colleagues.

I have been to several of the neighbouring republics, and I will be there again soon, so I have very live pictures on the screen of my mind. We must call for trials, and for everyone who has been involved in war crimes at all levels to be traced. International society stood, and still stands, ready to involve us and to serve in helping to handle the conflict and the regional clashes and collapses. I hope that the action taken will not be half hearted, like that, which we have witnessed so far concerning Kosovo. I hope that the situation in Chechnya will be approached with more determination and firm decision making.

The action of the ministerial part of the Council of Europe I see as being to call for international and Russian co-operation to investigate war crimes and to assist in border control and building up the civil sector and humanitarian support, as well as negotiation. I regard that as the line to follow.

I voted in favour of Russian membership of this organisation, but I did not give a carte blanche. It meant a commitment to find solutions to the transformation of Russian society to the democratic values and means that we all share. So, in the name of all the individuals who have paid with their lives, the families who have lost or suffered so much on both sides, we have to appeal for justice and peaceful solutions.

Terrorism, crime and fanaticism, clan systems and all those "Napoleons" - too many - who are around in the Caucasus area should be confronted with our determination in favour of justice and a peaceful settlement, and not with nervous threats and loud shouting at each other.

I express the hope and expectation that our executive power will act firmly and decisively - and quickly - to set up the right forums for solutions. The sooner that is done the better; every day is painful for all of us, and for the whole of humanity to witness.