§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Russian Government concerning the invasion of Chechnya; what consideration he has given to suspension of economic aid and trade contracts with Russia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Russians are well are of our concerns about their handling of the intervention in Chechnya and, in particular, at the appalling civilian casualties. Most recently, on 24 January, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wrote to President Yeltsin recognising that there are no easy answers to this deep-rooted problem, but pressing President Yeltsin to put an early end to the fighting; allow humanitarian relief; and work for a political agreement which allows the Chechen people to express their identity within the Russian Federation.
We have encouraged Russia to assist the Organisation on Security and Co-operation in Europe in its efforts to help find a solution to this tragic conflict. We fully support the OSCE's involvement. A senior British official was a member of the OSCE team which has just visited Chechnya. We are also assisting humanitarian relief efforts. The ODA has committed £1 million.
Our aim remains to support democratic reform in Russia. At present, we believe it would be counterproductive to suspend our assistance programmes. Those that would be the most affected are reformers who are feeling most beleaguered at present.