Alexander Yakovenko, the Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Media Question Regarding French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin Statement Concerning Chemical and Bacteriological Weapons Being Made by Terrorists in Pankisi Gorge, Georgia

Unofficial translation from Russian

Question: How can you comment on the statement made by French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin on March 1 at the conference in Lyon on terrorism concerning information about terrorists in the Pankisi Gorge making chemical and bacteriological weapons?

Answer: Moscow has taken very seriously the statement of French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin, in which he cites data obtained via the channels of French special services. This information confirms the warnings repeatedly made by the Russian side that international terrorists not only find shelter in Pankisi, but that it is being actively used for the preparation of particularly dangerous terrorist acts.

The attempts to develop chemical and bacteriological weapons belong to just this category of dangers emanating from international terrorism, this posing a threat not only to the North Caucasus region, but also to European and international security and stability as a whole.

As is known, Russian law enforcement agencies are ready for the closest cooperation with their Georgian colleagues and we hope that our joint actions to end the terrorist threat will acquire a purposive character and become more effective.

March 1, 2005