Russia Blocks Final OSCE Declaration

OSCE conference in Ljubljana, December 2005 (epa) Ljubljana, 6 December 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) conference ended today without a final declaration because of Russian objections to some of the texts.

The outgoing chairman, Dimitrij Rupel of Slovenia, is expected to issue a chairman's statement later on 6 December that will contain most of the points in the proposed declaration.

Diplomats in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana noted that this is third successive year in which a conference of OSCE foreign ministers has ended without a formal closing document because of Russian objections.

Those attending the conference said Moscow rejected the proposed language on OSCE's human rights division and on several other issues, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from Moldova and Georgia.