OSCE REACTS CALMLY.

The OSCE’s reaction to the declaration of Guldimann as persona non grata has been low-key. The declaration was issued by the government of outgoing president Zelimkhan Yandarbiev, whereas president-elect Aslan Maskhadov has on many occasions expressed strong support both for Guldimann personally and for the OSCE’s help in organizing Chechnya’s recent presidential and parliamentary elections. Speaking to the Monitor this morning, the OSCE’s press office refused to comment on speculation that Guldimann’s expulsion might have been intended by Yandarbiev’s outgoing administration to embarrass Maskhadov. The organization is hoping that, once Maskhadov has been inaugurated and formed his own government, the situation regarding the OSCE mission will return to normal. Maskhadov’s inauguration is presently scheduled for February 12, but there are reports that it may be postponed to a later date in order to avoid a clash with the February 12 session of the Federation Council and to allow Russian regional leaders, such as the presidents of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, to attend both events.

Confrontation Between Maskhadov and Yandarbiev Extends to Courts, Military.