INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDER HUG OF OSCE
RTL-Nieuws has spoken with Alexander Hug of OSCE about the security situation and the negotiations with the separatists.
http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/binnenland/wel-nederlanders-aan-onderhandelingstafel
Translation:
Alexander Hug OSCE arrived as an international observer immediately after the MH17-disaster in the disaster area. Yesterday he spoke with Dutch FM Koenders in Ukraine. RTL Nieuws has spoken with Hug.
1. How is the security situation in eastern Ukraine?
"The security situation in eastern Ukraine is difficult to assess. The conflict in eastern Ukraine is not a conflict where there is a front line with one party against the other. The security situation is different from 'standard' conflicts. At the moment there are a few friction points along the border where two sides are facing each other. These points are located normally are around strategic points like the airport in Donetsk or major thoroughfares such as the port of Mariupol. These are the areas where the conflict still flares up. The conflict is also being fought with long-range weapons, in most cases, mortars, artillery and other missile systems. That makes it very unpredictable, because these weapons are not very precise. The battle takes place in the middle of residential areas, leading to a high number of civilian casualties. "
2. What do you think of the increasing presence of Russian troops in the area?
"We have seen today and yesterday and last week that there is an increase of troops in the area. The OSCE Mission is present in the two regions. We patrol every day. We can not directly confirm that there are Russian troops, because direct observations are needed and those we do not have. If we have not seen it, that does not mean it does not exist. We have signaled more movement of weaponry on both sides. Both on the side of the government forces as with the rebels in recent days. "
3. What do these developments mean for the MH17-Mission of The Netherlands, to salvage the remains of the victims and return the wreckage to The Netherlands?
"I can not speak for the Dutch salvage team, but the OSCE mission looks at the security situation every day. This is normally done by the team in Donetsk itself. This is discussed with the head office and the decision shall then be made for that day. The patrol leader and the team leader on the road take again decisions. Should the situation deteriorate, we adjust our plan and that we communicate with the Dutch salvage team. But our decision is independent of the decision of the salvage team. "
4. You were soon on the spot after the disaster with the MH17. Was it difficult?
"At that time we did not feel the pressure. Our goal to get there as quickly as possible and to make use of the contacts we had on the ground. Everything we had seen hit us later on, especially on the evening of July 18 when we were in our hotel and went over what we had seen that day. My colleagues and I have seen things that you will not forget. Never actually. "
5. Was it emotional?
"Yes, of course. I would lie if I said otherwise. It was a difficult moment, but the team was prepared to some degree because we had seen victims of the conflict. We make sure that the team members that experience this kind of terrible things are given the opportunity to talk about it and process it. The team members were not forced to return to the place if they did not want to.
6. Given the unstable situation, when do you think the Dutch together with the local authorities can start to transport the wreckage of the MH17 to The Netherlands?
"I can not speak for the Dutch salvage team, but we facilitate a dialogue so that the technical arrangements necessary to salvage the wreckage are made possible with local services. That does not only depend on the technical requirements, but also the security situation. If this deteriorates, it should be delayed or adjusted. But the weather is a risk. The winter is coming and when the snow falls and it becomes more difficult to reach this remote area, it will also take longer. But it is to be important to insist that any decision or operation in Eastern Ukraine must be considered carefully. Delay or postponement is justified to prevent the loss of more lives. "
7. Is it true that Nedelrandse experts talked with the pro-Russian separatists?
"The role of the OSCE mission is to facilitate dialogue. We have been working on this since the beginning of the mandate on March 21 of this year. Since then we have had discussions with the rebels at the request of other parties, including the Dutch salvage team."
8. Have the Dutch negotiated with the rebels?
"I can not speak for the Dutch government or the rescue team, but I can tell you that the mission has facilitated the discussion and we have led these discussions at times when it was necessary to go to the crash site. That was the task of the mission."
9. So during those talks were the OSCE, the Dutch and the separatists seated at the same table?
"The negotiating table was there for the OSCE mission and the leaders of the rebels. For technical reasons, someone from the Dutch salvage team was there at times, but was not involved in the negotiations."
10. What do you say to critics who believe that the return of victims and wreckage is too slow?
"It is important to understand that the security situation and the geographical location and destroyed infrastructure in the area and the importance of careful planning of operations result in delays. But the delay is justified to avoid loss of life. That is of utmost importance. The OSCE sympathises deeply with the relatives of the victims. Our role as facilitator has paid off. The salvage team is back and has been able to recover more human remains and is back to work at the crash site. This proves that the process continues . But it is a long and complicated process."
11. The harsh Ukrainian winter is coming. How much time is left?
"I can not predict the weather. I am supervisor in an observation mission. I think the weather is now favorable for the operation. But we can expect rain at this time of year. If it starts freezing it will be difficult to reach the area. You must understand that the crash site is in a remote area. It is far away from Donetsk and other cities. You have to take that into account. We have vehicles that can run on bad roads, but it depends on the security situation how far we can go without endangering someone's life or health."
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