The ongoing gravity of the situation in Chechnya and the indications that the conflict will further intensify increase our deep concerns. We consider totally unacceptable the Russian Federation's approach that random violence will be applied to all inhabitants of Grozny who are not able or not willing to abandon the city by midnight today.

We believe that such an attitude will obstruct a political settlement and turn the instability a lasting one. This is also a clear violation of the basic principals of international law, mainly of human rights. We condemn this attitude in the strongest terms.

We expect that any action hindering the mission undertaken by the OSCE Chairman-in Office, who is soon going to pay a visit to the region in order to contribute to the search for a political solution must be avoided.

We demand that any search for a solution through the use of extreme violence be completely abandoned and appeal once again that efforts towards dialogue be intensified.