News

DATE=11/19/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=OSCE WRAP (L) NUMBER=2-256364 BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN DATELINE=ISTANBUL CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe - the O-S-C-E - has ended its two day summit in Istanbul with a security charter designed to expand the organization's peacekeeping missions. Russia at first resisted an O-S-C-E role in resolving the conflict in Chechnya. But, as V-O-A Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from Istanbul, compromise became possible because of a summit declaration recognizing Russia's right to fight terrorism. TEXT: The current O-S-C-E chairman, Knut Vollebaek, of Norway says the key to a final summit consensus was Russia's acceptance of the O-S-C-E's demand to fulfill its 1995 mandate to help seek a political solution to the Chechen conflict. /// VOLLEBAEK ACT /// I think that is a very important acceptance from the Russian side and I thought that would be the most difficult one. /// END ACT /// Russia had resisted what it called outside interference in Chechnya, but it relented after negotiating language in the declaration that recognizes Russia's territorial integrity. Moscow also agreed to let Mr. Vollebaek visit the region, which he expects to do as soon as possible. The summit leaders also signed a security charter pledging to expand the O-S-C-E's peacekeeping operations and to establish a rapid reaction team of experts who will try to prevent conflicts from intensifying. Mr. Vollebaek says the charter gives the organization more room to maneuver. /// VOLLEBAEK ACT /// I think there are areas where we need to strengthen our capabilities, preventing conflicts in rapid reaction, in maybe also developing police efforts in various fields and all these elements are included in the charter. /// END ACT /// A joint summit declaration lists a number of O-S-C-E operations in European trouble spots, but recognizes that the recovery and reconstruction of Kosovo, in particular, remains a serious challenge. Thirty O-S-C-E leaders also signed an updated Conventional Weapons Treaty that reduces the maximum levels for troops and weapons in Europe. (Signed) NEB/LMK/JWH/JP 19-Nov-1999 09:10 AM EDT (19-Nov-1999 1410 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .