Press encounter after meeting with Igor Ivanov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation (unofficial transcript)
Press events | Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General
We discussed how the role of the UN can be strengthened with regard to the maintenance of strategic stability in the world. We also discussed regional conflicts including those in the Middle East, in the Persian Gulf, in the Balkans, around Afghanistan . The discussion was very practical and we discussed how specifically we can use the mechanisms of the United Nations in the political and diplomatic unblocking of the conflict situations. I confirmed to the Secretary-General our strong support for the United Nations and our willingness to continue making a practical contribution to the efforts of this unique and universal international organisation.
Russia highly appreciates personal contribution of the Secretary-General Annan to the strengthening of the role of the United Nations, its authority and Russia will support the candidacy of Kofi Annan for second term as Secretary-General.
SG: Thank you very much. I think the Foreign Minister has explained to you very clearly the nature of our discussion. And I would like to thank the Foreign Minister for his support and the way he does with the United Nations and also for the news he shared with you this morning and which the President also expressed yesterday. And I can assure the Minister that I will do all my best to continue working with the Russian Federation and other member-states to make the UN the strong organisation that is up for the twenty first century. I think at this stage it will be more effective to take your questions since we do not have much time.
Q: Is the United Nations going to impose "smart sanctions" during the tenth phase of the "Oil for food" program and if not during the tenth phase then when and if at all?
SG: Let me say that this is an issue for the Security Council. There are obviously reviews taking place in capitals and at the end the Security Council will discuss this issue and decide if and what modifications should be made in sanctions regime. At this stage I cannot predict or prejudge the changes that the Council may wish to make during the extension of the "oil for food" scheme for the tenth phase which would be in early June. So, I do confirm that the discussions are going on but I don't know when they will be completed.
FM Ivanov: As for the Russian position the question to us is not about smart sanctions, less smart sanctions or smarter sanctions. We have totally different approach. We have UN Security Council resolutions with regard to this issue and we assume that on the one hand these resolutions should be implemented, and on the other hand the sanctions should be lifted. We proceed from these two parameters when we elaborate our approach.
Q FM Ivanov: [beginning inaudible, about the Russia's position with regard to the National Missile Defence of the US]
FM Ivanov: First of all I would like to mention that I am going to Washington with the firm desire to uphold a constructive dialogue with the United States and to develop mutually beneficial relations between our nations. We carefully studied the recent statements by President Bush and State secretary Powell. And it follows from these statements that the US is going to cooperate with Russia in the building of stability and security in the twenty-first century. We are ready for this kind of cooperation in the interests of strategic stability and international security. We are pleased that a fruitful discussion has started on these issues of key importance. We hope that we have moved from general philosophy to the discussion of practical questions. We should assess the challenges and threats that international community can face in the twenty first century and ways to resolve these problems. In any case, we should be careful in reviewing the various disarmament agreements that we elaborated together over the past decades and that maintain international peace and security. Once again I'd like to repeat that we are ready for a constructive discussion on all these problems and we should seek joint solutions providing the security of Russia is maintained and keeping in mind world stability in general.
Q: With the aggravation of situation in the Middle East what is the current status of the problem and the activities of peace keeping force there? And what steps should be made to block the deadlock?
SG: You refer to peaceeeping force in Palestine. I take it that is a reference to the demand of observer force, the force to protect Palestinians which has been requested by the Palestinian authority and President Arafat. If that is the question then let me say that Security Council had discussed this issue and it was not approved, you know, it was vetoed by the US. And recently I have learnt that this issue may be taken up again or Palestinians may ask the UN to take it up again. But for the moment there is no approval for such a force.
And the second part of your question - What is being done to stop the tragedy. I think today we have two documents on the table - the first is the proposal by Egypt and Jordan and the second is the Mitchell report. I believe those two documents could provide a way to step back from ... [one word inaudible] and really begin to talk and seek a cease-fire. I believe both of them should be interested in that. This finally may improve the economic situation for the Palestinians and eventually make the sides talk about the final solution. There are lots of efforts by many leaders trying to help in this tragedy and I myself I am actually in touch with both leaders, both parties and other leaders in the region. And we discussed the situation extensively with President Putin yesterday and Foreign Minister today. And we are all going to continue this effort until we are able to put an end to the violence in the Middle East.
FM Ivanov: The situation in the Middle East is the greatest concern to us. We paid significant attention to this issue at yesterday meeting with President Putin and during our today's discussion. As General-Secretary said Russia and other countries are doing their best by bilateral channels and through multilateral diplomacy means to stop the violence and then to resume the negotiations. You know about the initiatives that exist and have just been mentioned.
There are other initiatives as well. The main thing now is to start practical implementation of those initiatives. The US, Russia, EU ,Secretary-General of the UN, other countries should make a joint effort to resolve the current situation, to influence the leaders of the conflicting parties and assist them in finding solution in the interest of brighter future of this region. We do not have any ready made recipes as to how the conflict can be resolved/ We have begun discussions and will continue them in Washington with the other parties.
Q to FM Ivanov: [about the forthcoming Russia - US summit]
FM Ivanov: There is a fundamental agreement between the Presidents to get together. To meet in Genoa even before the G-8 summit. This question is now being thoroughly studied by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the American Department of State. Secretary Powell said that we discuss this issue every day. This emphasises the willingness of both sides to arrange a meeting in the nearest future. When the agreement is reached we'll tell you about it. *****