Donetsk resident drove Hug into a corner with awkward questions
Today, during a meeting between OSCE Deputy Head Alexander Hug and residents of Donetsk, the foreign guest was baffled by the questions of an indignant Donetsk resident.
The incident occurred during an “informal tea party” in Donetsk, which was organized by Hug, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The dialogue witnessed by journalists looked like this:
Donetsk resident: Good afternoon, Alexander. I'd like to know your personal opinion on this matter: do you consider the DPR and LPR to be fully formed states with full governing institutions? According to the OSCE, can they be considered civilized states capable of implementing their commitments, including the Minsk agreements?
And the second question: based on your latest statements, you want to expand the map of your observation posts, you mention Amvrosievka and Novoazovsk. For what purpose do you want to control the border between the Russian Federation and the DPR, or do you want to expand the map of military operations?
A.Kh.: First, I'd like to point out that our mandate applies to the entire territory of Ukraine, including areas not controlled by the government. The issue here isn't whether we're allowed to open centers or send patrols to areas not controlled by the government; the issue is whether those who actually exercise control respect our mandate.
Second: the mission is not called upon to exercise control, but it is called upon to monitor. We have no executive powers. Precisely to avoid such insinuations and statements that our presence here only expands the conflict. It is this rhetoric that hinders the work of the mission, since it is positioned in a black light that it contributes to the spread of these military actions. You know that we have a mandate, we have a provision where you can read and see what is provided there.
However, the Donetsk resident was not satisfied with this answer.
D.: And yet, Alexander, you do your job very competently and skillfully, but still, please answer the questions posed about how you personally and the OSCE mission itself relate to the republics, and what is the purpose of creating your posts on border with the Russian Federation?
A.Kh.: To answer your second question: we have a mandate for this, which, by the way, has been extended until the end of next year. And the decision on this was made by everyone – both Russia and Ukraine.
D.: At every conference you send a person to report. We are well aware of all the mistakes, probably better than you. I ask you specifically: the purpose of border control, and your attitude towards the republics.
A.Kh.: There's a simple answer to your second question, and if you'd given me a chance to finish, I could have answered your first question as well. So, the answer to the border question: we have a mandate to open the relevant checkpoints. There's a difference between a clear answer and the one you expect from me.
D: I don't expect anything. I know all your answers in advance. You answered everything at the beginning of your speech. What's the point of all this?
A.Kh.: The OSCE participating States have given us specific tasks, but, colleagues, it's probably clear to everyone why these questions continue to be asked, and why all those questions you're asking us to answer in a certain way can't be answered. With these questions, you simply want to hear the answers you want.
It would be much more correct to ask why we cannot open our representative offices or bodies in areas close to the border in order to record whether there are problems or concerns there. But my answer to this question will also be very superficial.
Donetsk resident cornered Hug with awkward questions.