A/57/269–S/2002/854

United Nations

General Assembly
Security Council

General Assembly
Fifty-seventh session
Item 162 of the provisional agenda*
Measures to eliminate international terrorism

Distr.: General
31 July 2002
English
Original: Russian

Security Council
Fifty-seventh year

Letter dated 31 July 2002 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i.
of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the
United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
I have the honour to transmit to you herewith the text of the statement by the
Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 31 July 2002 in connection with
the sudden exacerbation of the situation in the area of the Russian-Georgian border
and attempts by international terrorists to effect an armed breakthrough into the
territory of the Russian Federation (see annex).
I should be grateful if you would have the text of this letter and its annex
circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under item 162 of the provisional
agenda of the fifty-seventh session, and also of the Security Council.
(Signed) Gennady M. Gatilov
Permanent Representative a.i.

* A/57/150.

02-50419 (E) 010802 010802

*0250419*

 A/57/269
S/2002/854

Annex
Statement by the Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The situation in the area of the Russian-Georgian border has suddenly become
exacerbated in recent days. From their bases located in Georgia’s Pankisi Gorge,
Chechen fighters and international terrorists have made armed attempts to penetrate
the territory of the Russian Federation.
These events provide persuasive confirmation of the fact that Tbilisi’s policy
of appeasing the terrorists and attempting to part with them “in a friendly manner” is
resulting in a new wave of terror, loss of human life and serious destabilization in
the Caucasus and in Georgia itself.
It should be pointed out that the Georgian authorities, who have repeatedly
assured the world community of their readiness to restore by themselves order in the
Pankisi Gorge, have once again acknowledged their unwillingness to take practical
measures to halt terrorism. To all appearances, they are unable and really do not
wish to do that there. At the same time, Tbilisi is avoiding practical cooperation
with the Russian Federation in conducting an anti-terrorist operation, and Georgia’s
foreign policy department is clumsily attempting to cast a smokescreen over the
events on the border, having accused the Russian Federation of aggressive acts
against Georgia.
Such a position on the part of Tbilisi obviously runs counter to Georgia’s
obligations under United Nations Security Council anti-terrorist resolution 1373
(2001). This resolution, adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United
Nations, which deals with action to restore international peace and security
provides, in particular, for mandatory measures for all States to prevent and suppress
terrorist activities in their territory. We assume that this decision will, finally, be
properly implemented by Georgia as well.
Moscow considers that the Georgian authorities are obliged to take effective
measures to destroy the terrorist bases in the Pankisi Gorge. The responsibility for
the consequences of the armed incursion by bandits into the territory of the Russian
Federation lies fully with the Georgian side.

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