Mr Putin and Mr Chretien discussed the development of the situation in Iraq. They expressed serious concern over the humanitarian consequences of continued hostilities. In that context, they gave high marks to the call by the UN Secretary General to render humanitarian assistance to Iraq and a UN Security Council decision to resume the Oil-for-Food Programme.
Mr Chretien congratulated Mr Putin on the success of the constitutional referendum in the Chechen Republic. Mr Putin described the plans to secure political settlement and solve social and economic problems in Chechnya.