I am addressing you in connection with the situation taking shape along the Russian-Georgian border. In connection with the aggression of international terrorism which has rooted itself in Chechnya, Russia has taken very resolute measures to eradicate that dangerous hotbed. We have set ourselves the task of destroying the terrorist infrastructure created with the support of the criminal regime that existed in Chechnya and that was the chief obstacle in the way of a political settlement in that Russian region.
In military terms, the task has mainly been accomplished. It has made it possible to start reducing the federal troops in Chechnya. At the same time, we initiated the process of forming the government structures in that region of the Russian Federation, including local law enforcement bodies consisting of Chechens. The results are evident: on the whole life in Chechnya is gradually returning back to normal, the economy is resurgent, schools are opening and houses are being built. Active work is underway on the new Constitution of the Chechen Republic and elections to the republican and local government bodies are being prepared.
All these steps are an inalienable part of the process of political settlement in the region. This is the firm line to which the Russian leadership adheres. Here we are open to the closest interaction with international organisations, above all the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and various nongovernmental entities.
But the problem is not confined to the territory of Chechnya. The successful progress of the anti-terrorist operation has forced the remnants of the militants to dig in on the territory of Chechnya where, with the connivance of the Georgian authorities, they feel free and comfortable and continue to receive military, financial and other support from outside.
It has to be noted that in order to prevent militants “spilling over” into Georgia, as early as 1999, from the start of the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya, we offered Tbilisi the establishment of close interaction between the special and border services of the two countries in order to set up a solid barrier in the way of the militants on the Russian-Georgian border.
Stressing that the tactics of connivance at terrorism used by the Georgian leadership are unacceptable and despite the lack of a constructive reaction from Tbilisi, we continue to urge Georgia to take all the necessary measures to stop the terrorist raids perpetrated by non-Georgian units from its territory against Russia, while expressing our readiness to render the necessary assistance.
The country’s President, Eduard Shevardnadze, who until recently denied the presence of terrorists on Georgian territory, had to admit their presence when faced with irrefutable facts. However, no real measures have been taken to block, disarm and turn them over to the Russian side. The much touted “anti-crime operation” of the Georgian security forces and troops in the Pankisi Gorge has not and could not have yielded any concrete results considering the way it was prepared and conducted. The Chechen militants and international terrorists knew about the operation in advance and merely moved to a different location.
These issues were again raised in the message sent to Eduard Shevardnadze on September 3 this year. As before, no constructive reaction was forthcoming.
In light of the above said, we are looking at a flagrant violation by Tbilisi of the UN Security Council Anti-Terrorist Resolution 1373 which is binding on all states. In the current situation it is necessary to make sure that Georgia fully complies with its obligations to the international community in this field.
In connection with this, Russia may be forced to avail itself, under the UN Security Council Resolution 1368 passed in response to the barbaric terrorist attacks on the US in September last year, of its inalienable right to individual or collective self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter. And I would like to stress that we are not talking about actions aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and replacing its political regime.
Our message is that if the Georgian leadership fails to take concrete actions to destroy the terrorists and they continue to make sorties from its territory, Russia, proceeding in strict accordance with international law, will take the necessary measures to counteract the terrorist threat.
I count on your understanding of our position and your support of the decisions Russia will take in the interests of fighting international terrorism, protecting civilian lives and ensuring stability and security in the Caucasus region.