We urge Russia to expand these modest steps beyond the circle of CFE states Parties and to offer an updated Vienna Document notification to all OSCE states. The United States also recalls Russia's commitment to host an observation visit at the earliest possible opportunity, since its equipment levels have exceeded those in chapter VI of the Vienna Document for some months now. We look forward to the prompt implementation of this commitment. As we receive daily reports of continued fighting in Chechnya, and in particular the assault on Groznyy, we continue to have concerns with Russia's application of the OSCE Code of Conduct. We are particularly concerned about Russia's failure to comply with its commitments under paragraph 36 of the Code of Conduct to avoid indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force and to avoid injury to civilians and their property.
Terrorism is, indeed, a serious challenge.
But labeling everything and everyone a terrorist doesn t change the basic facts of an on-going military conflict. The situation in Chechnya requires a political solution. We have also made a commitment in the Code of Conduct to seek political solutions to conflicts. I wish to make clear that the U.S. supports the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation and does not question the right of the Russian Federation to combat armed insurgencies on its soil. We have called on all leaders in Chechnya to combat lawlessness inside Chechnya and work for the release of all hostages held in Chechnya.