Press release

July 29, 2003

The Chechen proposal of "conditional independence under an international administration" is undoubtedly the best way to peace and democracy in Chechnya. Implementation of this proposal will end the state of terror and the climate of impunity in Chechnya. It will also bring peace and security to Russia. The proposal provides the only formula that can truly work for both the Chechen and Russian peoples.

The international community should end its unjustifiable silence and help Chechnya and Russia to implement the proposal.

We therefore urge Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, arriving today to Moscow in his capacity as the President of the European Union, to convince President Putin to commence a genuine Russian-Chechen dialogue on the basis of the proposal.