INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH CAUCASUS TO TRANSFER MAIN EFFORTS ONTO CHECHEN TERRITORY

MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti corr. Alla Isayeva) - International humanitarian organizations working in the North Caucasus intend to transfer their main efforts onto the territory of the Chechen republic, said Stefan Vassilev, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Russian Federation after a conference in the Russia government on issues of humanitarian activity in the North Caucasus.

"Our principle is assistance after people. Now refugees are returning to Chechen territory. Humanitarian organizations will do everything possible for people, upon return to the republic, to get assistance to the extent they need," said the UN representative.

The conference also discussed the possibility of opening in Grozny of offices of organizations rendering humanitarian assistance. "This issue still needs revision," Vassilev said. He said 25 organizations are engaged in rendering humanitarian aid in the North Caucasus. Another two - UNESCO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization are to join them soon.

The UN representative spoke for supplementing the existing humanitarian programs with programs of development of North Caucasian regions. "For example, if we speak about construction materials, local plants engaged in their production should be set up in the North Caucasus," said the UN coordinator.

The Russian Minister for Chechen Affairs, Stanislav Ilyasov in his turn called the transfer of humanitarian organizations mostly working through Ingushetia, Dagestan, the Stavropol territory directly onto the territory of Chechnya the main task for the near future. Assistance does not need mediators, Ilyasov said.