OSCE in Ukraine: 'Facts as basis for politics'

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DW: The Permanent Council of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) has decided to send an observer mission with 500 members to Ukraine. What is the OSCE's task in Ukraine?

Wolfgang Richter: Its task is to make a contribution towards de-escalation and stabilization, and to determine what the facts are. Currently there is one main ingredient and that's rumors. It is simply necessary to have neutral observers on site. Only facts can be a basis for political decisions, and to ensure that, the OSCE has decided to deploy this mission in nine locations, from the West to the East of Ukraine.

In addition to this big mission, the OSCE is deploying its entire repertoire of crisis management instruments, such as the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in Warsaw which will observe the elections on May 25. The High Commissioner on National Minorities is also there with an observer team as is the Representative on Freedom of the Media. As well as these autonomous institutions, we also have the whole panoply of instruments for arms control and confidence-building measures, such as inspections and observer visits and aerial reconnaissance - including over neighboring Russian territory. The OSCE is really the only organization which is working on the ground to carry out de-escalation and find out the facts.

http://www.dw.de/osce-in-ukraine-facts-as-basis-for-politics/a-17551906?maca=en-rss-en-eu-2092-rdf