U.S. Department of State
97/01/06 Statement: U.S. Support for Elections in Chechnya 
Office of the Spokesman 



Press Statement by Nicholas Burns/Spokesman
January 7, 1997



 
                 U.S. Support for Elections in Chechnya 



The United States welcomes continuing progress in preparing for 
elections in Chechnya, scheduled for January 27.  These elections are an 
important part of the process of reconciliation and could constitute 
another step toward establishing democratic institutions and legitimate 
government in Chechnya.  The U.S. welcomes recent statements of support 
for the electoral process by senior Chechen and Russian officials. 
 
We believe that the OSCE can play a constructive role in improving the 
quality of these elections and we have pledged sixty thousand dollars to 
the OSCE's Chechen election assistance fund. 
 
We have been encouraged by the generous support that other OSCE 
participating states have contributed to this purpose. 
 
We attach paramount importance to the safety of all foreign assistance 
workers in Chechnya and will continue to follow closely the security 
situation there.  We note that Chechnya remains an area of instability.