Peace Corps Online: January 2, 2003 - US State Department: US State Department comments on Peace Corps withdrawal from Russia

January 2, 2003 - US State Department: US State Department comments on Peace Corps withdrawal from Russia

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: 01 January 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: January 2, 2003 - US State Department: US State Department comments on Peace Corps withdrawal from Russia

By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 4:31 pm: Edit Post

US State Department comments on Peace Corps withdrawal from Russia

Read and comment on this State Department briefing which talks a little about the Peace Corps situation in Russia:

Boucher was also asked about the Russian request to withdraw the Peace Corps, saying simply: "The Russian Government expressed its gratitude for Peace Corps assistance and we're pleased to have had the opportunity to serve in Russia."

Read the story at:

U.S. Disappointed at Russia Decision to End OSCE Chechnya Presence*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.

U.S. Disappointed at Russia Decision to End OSCE Chechnya Presence

(Excerpts from Jan. 2 State Department Daily Briefing) (530)

The United States is disappointed with the Russian Government's decision to end the mandate of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Assistance Group in Chechnya, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said in response to a journalist's question during the January 2 State Department Daily Briefing.

"We are engaged in an effort to find a suitable formula as soon as possible that will allow the mission to continue its constructive engagement and its highly beneficial humanitarian efforts," Boucher said. "The United States believes the mission still has a valuable role to play in promoting and protecting human rights in Chechnya and in aiding economic development, and we're seeking with other members of the OSCE to address those concerns."

Boucher was also asked about the Russian request to withdraw the Peace Corps, saying simply: "The Russian Government expressed its gratitude for Peace Corps assistance and we're pleased to have had the opportunity to serve in Russia."

Following is an excerpt from the State Department transcript:

(begin excerpt)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2003
12:50 p.m. EST
BRIEFER: Richard Boucher, Spokesman

RUSSIA
-- End of OSCE Mandate in Chechnya
-- Request to Withdraw Peace Corps

[...]

QUESTION: I hear you'd like the Russians to allow the OSCE mission to reopen in Chechnya. What are you doing to try and persuade them?

MR. BOUCHER: I think, first of all, we have to say we're disappointed with the Russian Government's decision to end the mandate of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe Assistance Group in Chechnya. We are engaged in an effort to find a suitable formula as soon as possible that will allow the mission to continue its constructive engagement and its highly beneficial humanitarian efforts. The United States believes the mission still has a valuable role to play in promoting and protecting human rights in Chechnya and in aiding economic development, and we're seeking with other members of the OSCE to address those concerns.

QUESTION: Speaking of Chechnya and Russia, did you ever get any satisfactory response as to the closing of the IDP camps in Ingushetia from the Russians?

MR. BOUCHER: Don't remember. I will check.

QUESTION: Also on Russia, do you have any reaction to their decision to ban the Peace Corps?

MR. BOUCHER: Have you done that already? I've got the whole guidance on it, but I'm told Phil has already addressed it. We did get notification from the Russian Government that it intends to withdraw from the agreement.

QUESTION: Well, no. Well, they have. I was wondering if you -- Christmas Day -- I don't remember it coming up after. Let me look. Yes.

MR. BOUCHER: Did you address it on the 27th of December when this was written, Phil?

MR. REEKER: (Off mike.)

MR. BOUCHER: All right. Anyway. So we got the notification. We believe they've played a valuable role. The Russian Government expressed its gratitude for Peace Corps assistance and we're pleased to have had the opportunity to serve in Russia. I will stop with that.

(end excerpt)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Background on the Peace Corps in Russia

Read more background on the Peace Corps in Russia at:

Peace Corps disappointed with Russian decision
Exclusive: Peace Corps disappointed with Russian decision 27 December 2002

Moscow to abandon Peace Corps agreement
New York Times: Russia bars future U.S. Peace Corps workers 28 December 2002

Pravda: Moscow informs Washington of intention to abandon Peace Corps agreement 27 December 2002

Associated Press: Russia Rejects U.S. Peace Corps 27 December 2002

US Ready to Remove Peace Corps From Russia
U.S. Ready to Remove Peace Corps From Russia, Citing Disputes 17 December 2002

Russian Spy claims "groundless" says US
Russian claims about Peace Corps volunteers "groundless" says US Embassy 16 December 2002

KGB accuses PCVs of "suspicious activities"
Update: KGB Chief says PCVs involved in suspicious activities 15 December 2002

KGB chief accuses Peace Corps workers of spying in Russia 15 December 2002

KGB refuses visas to religious workers
Russia refuses visas to religious workers 2 November 2002

Russia is cooling to the Peace Corps
Time Magazine says Russia "Cooling To the Corps" 23 August 2002

Radio Free Europe makes the Case for the Peace Corps in Russia 18 August 2002

Secretary of State Powell makes no progress on Peace Corps visas with Russian foreign minister 14 August 2002

Russia refuses visas for Peace Corps Volunteers
Peace Corps Moscow chief denies allegations of non-professionalism 13 August 2002

Russia Ousting Dozens Of Peace Corps Volunteers 12 August 2002

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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Russia

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