MOSCOW. Jan 5 (Interfax-AVN) - Moscow has no objections to the presence of international observers, including representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in Chechnya during a referendum on its constitution and subsequent elections.
"OSCE experts could take part in monitoring the referendum set for the spring, and elections to be held at the end of the year," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Chizhov told journalists. His answers can be read on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website.
The presence of the Group for Assisting the OSCE in Chechnya is not at all necessary for monitoring, he said.
Concerning the termination of the OSCE mission's mandate in Chechnya from January 1, 2003, Chizhov said the OSCE's 55 member- states failed to reach a consensus when they were discussing prolongation of the group's mandate, which expired on December 31, in the OSCE Permanent Council.
The closing procedure will last from January 1 to March 21, the diplomat said.
Russia is prepared to discuss other forms of cooperation with the OSCE, he said, noting that missions are only part of the organization's activity. "It also has a bureau for democratic institutions and human rights, whose job is to monitor elections in the OSCE's member-states," said Chizhov.