It is not possible in principle to create a uni-polar system of international relations - President Vladimir Putin, Russia

Q1: Last September, the whole world was horrified by massacres of schoolchildren in Beslan by Chechen terrorists. What measures have been taken to counteract the domestic terrorist threat in your country?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: One opinion is evident: the Beslan experience cannot but produce certain conclusions. International terrorism has declared a war. And we are obliged to meet that challenge and to protect adequately sovereignty and integrity of our countries, life and peace of our citizens. This should be a systematic activity. First, we should improve the efficiency of law enforcement bodies and special services. Their work should be commensurate with the tasks faced today by the whole society and special services in particular. Moreover, the interaction mechanisms, ways and means, working methods and modalities of law enforcement bodies should be commensurate with the nature and scope of the threats faced by Russia.

Second, measures to strengthen the unity of national executive bodies have been elaborated and partially implemented. I would like to emphasize that steps have been taken to consolidate democracy, federalism and civil society, as well as to promote the growth of major national political parties. I am convinced that it is only a politically structured and mature society that is able to form a responsible and workable power structure and to effectively counteract such threats as extremism, terrorism and separatism.

We intend to continue to use preventive methods against terrorists. However, our actions will be in strict compliance with the Russian legal and constitutional norms and rules of international law. In general, the whole range of activities to enhance the security of Russian citizens and to guarantee their constitutional rights will certainly be based on full respect of democratic values, consolidation and development of democratic institutions. It is for this specific purpose that the Russian Public Chamber is being created. It will be entrusted with civil expertise of major governmental decisions.

Q2: They say quite a lot about global multilaterality and multipolarity, but the world appears today even more unipolar than ever before. Is Russia capable of (and interested in) assuming a leading role in restoring a certain balance in world affairs?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I do not think it is possible in principle to create a unipolar system of international relations. Interdependence of states and interdependence of national economies are growing. Most civilization development factors- both negative and positive- are acquiring a global character. No single state, even the most powerful one, can cope alone with terrorism, numerous local conflicts, social diseases and, thus, is not able to provide global stability and progress. All those problems can only be solved through multilateral cooperation under the UN auspices. Russia is ready to make its contribution, moreover, it is contributing constructively to this common work.

Q3: Russia has been the leading advocate of the new UN Security Council resolution on counter-terrorism, which expanded the possibilities for counteracting terrorism. In your opinion, is the Security Council able to meet the challenges of terrorism faced by both Russia and India?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I see what you mean by that. Indeed, much has been said about insufficient progress by the UN Security Council in organizing fight against terrorism. It should be made clear, however, that the mechanism in question is effective insofar as its members are ready to work jointly and decisively towards the common goal.

I am convinced that the international community should base its fight against terrorism on a clear strategy, effective institutional mechanisms and adequate international legal system. And there is no alternative to the UN in shaping such a global antiterrorist system. I would also note that Russia-sponsored Security Council resolution 1566 strengthens the UN role in the international fight against terrorism. In addition, the Security Council resolution provides a strong impetus to the work of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, the principal UN coordinating body for counter-terrorism activities.

This resolution emphasizes that acts of terrorism are offences under no circumstances justifiable by considerations of a political, ideological or religious nature and that persons guilty of terror should certainly be punished by penalties commensurate with the gravity of their crimes.

The provision, according to which States should bring to justice - on the basis of the principle "extradite or prosecute" - terrorists and individuals who support or facilitate their acts is of paramount importance as well. We have long insisted on the inclusion of the above principle into the binding documents of the UN. It is a major step towards eliminating double standards, along with the clarification of the general motion of terrorism.

I would note that this document was adopted unanimously. This is an evidence of unconditional support by the world community of approaches taken by Russia and understanding by our partners.

India and Russia share similar political principles of participation in the anti-terrorist coalition. We have already made a number of important joint steps. Thus, India spoke in favor of adopting a comprehensive convention against terrorism, while Russia, on its part, put forward a draft convention for the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism. By the way, the latest resolution of the UN Security Council on terrorism encourages all countries to eliminate the existing obstacles on the way of adopting the Indian and Russian draft conventions.

Q4: Before the US presidential election you supported the candidature of President George Bush since his defeat would result in the spread of terrorism to other parts of the world. Retrospectively, you showed insight when evaluating the US political situation. Do you believe that during his second term President George Bush will be less "unilateral" in his actions? Or are we most likely to witness another Iraq in some other place?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Certainly Russia followed the recent US presidential election with great interest and attention. It is only natural since progress in our bilateral relations and interaction in international affairs depend also on the approach taken by the US leaders.

We have repeatedly stated that we were prepared to work with any Administration that would enjoy confidence of the American people. At the same time, the recent achievements in the US-Russian relations became possible to a large extent thanks to the constructive policy pursued by George Bush- politician and statesman whom we consider to be our reliable partner and ally in the war against terrorism. It is because of that, that I took the greatest pleasure to congratulate him for his well-deserved victory. I am convinced that under the second term of George Bush Administration the Russian-American cooperation will be no less dynamic and fruitful.

This does not mean that there are no differences between the US and Russia; however we resolve them through dialogue taking into account our countries' long-term interests. We build our relations based on developing equal and mutually advantageous ties, jointly dealing with new challenges and threats, first of all those relating to international terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crime and drug-trafficking.

Q5: There have been reports in newspapers that the UN General Secretary has created a High level group on the issue of expanding the UN Security Council. And there are two possibilities for expansion, but they have one thing in common – new Security Council members will lack the power of veto. The Russian Federation has always supported India’s candidacy for permanent membership in this organisation. And of course, India would not like to be a second-category member of the Security Council it would also like to have the right to veto. How does Russia feel about this issue?

MR PUTIN: Firstly, we are in favour of the United Nations preserving its universal nature, and being an effective tool for solving all international problems in modern conditions. We support re-organisation, including by expanding the number of permanent members of the Security Council. India is one of the largest nations in the world, India is our strategically privileged partner. And if we are talking of the expansion of the UN Security Council according to regional principle, then of course, in our opinion, India is undoubtedly candidate number one. We are quite flexible in the discussion process. I should tell you that we have full mutual understanding with our Indian partners on this issue. As for the right of veto and other tools, we consider it to be absolutely unacceptable for the most effective tools of activity of the UN Security Council to be weakened. Otherwise, the UN will lose its importance and role, and turn into a club of interests, into a new version of the League of Nations. And of course, there can be no infringement of the rights of permanent members of the Security Council. This, in my opinion, is a destructive path of development for the discussion. And we must, I repeat, show flexibility and take into account the interests of all the participants of this discussion process. I have determined our position.

Those global challenges and threats of the new millenium can only be met collectively. There is a growing understanding of this evident fact globally. Developments in Iraq have once again proved that unilateral actions are counterproductive. I will be frank: in my talks with many foreign leaders Iused to hear the following question: "If global affairs are to be dealt with according to the "Iraqi model", how can we guarantee our countries' security and sovereignty?" We have repeatedly called our American partners' attention to this reality. And eventually, they realized the need to reach a political settlement in Iraq using the UN mechanisms. I believe that the new Administration will undoubtedly bear in mind "Iraqi lessons" when determining its foreign policy.

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