Unofficial translation

Esteemed Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and gentlemen,

This summit of the OSCE is the last in the outgoing century. It means that we can review the results of our joint activities. But it is even more important to work out common approaches to the future of Europe in the 21st century.

Russia is firmly committed to businesslike cooperation at this summit. I am convinced that Russia and the other members of the OSCE today, more than ever, need respectful dialogue and not mutual recriminations and lecturing. We all have an equal interest in stability and security on the entire space of Europe.

The years of the existence of the OSCE and especially this year have generated great expectations and simultaneously major disappointments. Europe is confronted with new challenges.

These challenges are global in character. Their nature is directly linked to the change in the international climate and the difficult search for new models of cooperation.

The upsetting of strategic stability, transnational crime and the spread of nuclear weapons are threats that are relevant to all the European states.

Finally, we have all become aware of the evil of international terrorism.

These challenges can only be met together.

We, Russia, are prepared to work in common. I am convinced that stability and security in Europe cannot be viewed apart from Russia. You have no right to criticize Russia over Chechnya.

The bloody wave of terrorist acts that swept Moscow and other cities and villages in our country has claimed 1,580 civilian victims. Thousands of families in all parts of Russia have felt the pain of that tragedy.

During the past three years terrorists have kidnapped 935 hostages, not only Russian but also British, American and French. About two hundred captives are still being held by the bandits. They are subjected to horrible torture and indeed one cannot calmly watch these films.

Terrorists are not bothered by the question of whether their actions are proportionate or humane. Their goal is to sow death and destruction.

We are grateful to those who in the difficult days have exhibited and today exhibit solidarity with us and feel for the Russians.

At the same time we do not accept the recipes of the so-called "objective" critics of Russia. Those who have never realized that it is simply our duty to stop the spread of the "cancerous growth" of terrorism in time. To prevent its "metastasis" spreading far beyond the North Caucasus and even beyond the Russian Federation.

Thousands of mercenaries trained at camps on the territory of Chechnya as well as those who have arrived from abroad are preparing in a very real way to spread the ideas of extremism all over the world.

We know well from what countries and through what countries terrorists get support. I will soon address the leaders of these states to call on them to stop such activities.

International terrorism is a challenge not only to Russia. It was not born in Russia and the "destination" of the terrorists is not the Caucasus.

And there I would like to stress that durable peace in the Chechen Republic and so-called "peaceful negotiations" with the bandits are not the same thing. And let no one be misled on that score. There will be no negotiations with bandits and murderers.

We stand for peace and a political settlement of the situation in Chechnya. It is for this purpose that the bandit units should be liquidated, terrorists should be eliminated or put on trial. Russia is entitled to expecting understanding and support on the part of Europe and the OSCE.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the new century Europe is capable of playing a key role in ensuring human rights and becoming a proponent of the ideas of international security and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

I am convinced that these ideas can only be implemented on the basis of equal partnership, mutual trust and respect. On the basis of everything that we Europeans have already managed to accomplish on our continent. And I repeat, we Europeans. Therefore not all the ideas that have emerged in the course of the discussion on the future of Europe appear to us to be well-grounded. I am referring to the calls for "humanitarian interference" -- a new idea -- in the internal affairs of another state. Even when it takes place under the pretext of protecting human rights and freedoms. We all know already what disproportionate consequences such interference may lead to. Suffice it to recall the US-led NATO aggression against Yugoslavia.

Now, on the threshold of the new era, it is more relevant than ever that our joint actions in Europe should be in keeping with the main motto: "Do no harm."

This is precisely why we propose a different technology today, the technology of patient search for mutually acceptable solutions. In particular, those fit for joint resolution of "non-standard situations".

That is why we intend to adhere strictly to the U.N. Charter, to international law and above all the ten principles of the Helsinki Final Act. It is difficult to deny that their significance, if anything, increases in the changed world.

It acquires a symbolic meaning here in Istanbul. The President of Turkey, Mr. Suleiman Demirel, is the only acting politician whose signature is under this historic document.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Russia, which has united hundreds of peoples in a common destiny, has always valued peace and harmony. We know from our own experience how difficult it is to untangle the "knots" of conflicts.

And we have one more than one occasion become convinced that a straightforward and hasty approach merely brings additional complications.

Esteemed Mr. President, I mean the President of the Turkish Republic,

Allow me once again to thank your country for the hospitality and for the excellent organization of the summit. In signing the European Security Charter today, I repeat, today because the Russian delegation flies away today, we see it as a kind of code of honest and fair mutual relations on the whole space of the OSCE, as a code not only of the rights, but of mutual responsibility. We see this as a guarantee of secure and happy life on our continent. We see this as our common contribution to the building of a multi-polar world in the 21st century.

Russia is prepared to share that responsibility with all the peoples of Europe.

Thank you.