Putin refuses to see UN envoy

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, APRIL 3. The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, has refused to meet the U.N. Human Rights chief, Mrs. Mary Robinson, in a sign of Moscow's displeasure over her angry remarks during a trip to Chechnya. The Kremlin's chief spokesman for Chechnya, Mr. Sergei Yastrzhembsky, said a meeting with Mrs. Robinson ``was not and is not on the schedule'' of the Russian President-elect.

Mrs. Robinson said upon her return from Chechnya that she was very much concerned with violations of human rights in the region and would like to discuss them with Mr. Putin.

``I think it would be important to have an opportunity to speak to him directly,'' she told reporters after landing in Moscow on Monday. Her flight from North Caucasus was delayed by 14 hours due bad weather.

The Russian television quoted her as saying she was holding Russian authorities fully responsible for what is happening in Chechnya and was insisting on full investigation of alleged human rights abuses in the rebel republic with the participation of international agencies.

``I am very concerned about the serious accounts I've heard. of allegations of human rights violations which must be seriously investigated,'' she said. ``The primary responsibility is on the Russian authorities and I will support any steps that they will take in relation to it, but there is also an interest of the international community.''

She was the most senior international official to visit Chechnya since Russia launched its military operation in the region six months ago.

However, Mr. Yastrzhembsky said Mrs. Robinson had visited ``almost all'' the places she wanted to see and claimed that her critical remarks were not based on facts. ``I've not heard any reference to concrete facts in her statements,'' he said. The U.N. envoy is to return on Tuesday to Geneva, where she will submit a report on her trip to the U.N. Human Rights Commission. Her visit may also influence the current debate at the Council of Europe on whether Russia's membership should be suspended over its actions in Chechnya.

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Section  : International
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