Igor Ivanov

Together, we are prepared to lay a foundation for a more secure future for the entire world,

The important thing is that this document should allow us to achieve the objectives that we had, which is to stop the war in the Balkans. If we achieve that in the nearest future, then we can be satisfied with this resolution.

In accordance with international law, those who give such orders should be held responsible, including in a criminal way, ... The international tribunal on the former Yugoslavia should immediately look into this.

The main task ... is to stop bombing. After that, Russia is ready for working out the U.N. resolution, which will give the basis for post-war settlement in Yugoslavia,

The information that our American colleagues will present must be then given to the international inspectors who must use it in their work and give their corresponding evaluation of it,

One has to act with respect, just as with any sovereign government,

on goods that may be used for humanitarian problems in Iraq.

We are sure the upshot of her visit will be not only a narrowing of our positions on many international problems but also a new impulse to the development of our relations, ... Both sides are trying for exactly that.

Even as we speak, the exchanges of information are under way related to the activities of different extremists and terrorist organizations, including in Afghanistan,

The meeting between Boris Yeltsin and Jiang Zemin took place in a very warm and friendly atmosphere, ... Our relations are now at a peak and that meets the interests of both nations as well as the interests of regional and international stability.

In our view, it is important to carefully preserve (the system that) has been built up over the decades and that has also functioned as a guarantee of international security.

aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the activity of the international inspectors.

authorizes the violent overthrow of the leadership of a sovereign state.

Russian efforts and the direct efforts of ...(Russian special envoy) Viktor Chernomyrdin have not found the understanding and proper support of NATO leadership,

It was extremely important for us to receive from Chairman Arafat assurances that the Palestinian leadership is adhering to the road map, will fulfill all points of this map, and that within that leadership there is no disagreement on the issue,

No one in the political leadership of the Russian federation has any deadlines,

We believe the use of force against Iraq, especially with reference to previous resolutions of the UN Security Council, has no grounds, including legal grounds.

The resolution has made a real threat of war go away and opens the way for further work in the interests of a political- diplomatic settlement of the situation around Iraq.

Resolution 1441 does not give anyone the right to an automatic use of force. Russia believes that the Iraqi problem should be regulated by the Security Council, which carries the main responsibility for ensuring international security.

The conveniently forgotten fact remains that the Russian leadership is fighting international terrorism in Chechnya, ... and all states have undertaken to support each other in eradicating this evil.

This aspect was not discussed today,

We have discussed the principles today, ... Now we will start to go to the practice.

This is obviously a success for us Russia, as Germany in the European Union is one of our strategic partners.

We have assurances by the president and vice president that the American side says they will follow the ABM treaty, ... Any possible plans must be agreed to, and that's what we discussed.

We speak in the same voice with the United States because Washington, too, is interested to stop the spiraling of tension and normalizing the situation in the region. It is important not only that we speak in the same voice but that we also act in coordination with one another, which Russia is in favor of,