ALEXANDER YAKOVENKO, THE SPOKESMAN OF RUSSIA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ANSWERS A QUESTION FROM RUSSIAN MEDIA CONCERNING ISRAEL'S LIQUIDATION OF HAMAS LEADER ABDEL AZIZ RANTISI

Unofficial translation from Russian

Question: How does the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regard Israel's liquidation of the new Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi?

Answer: As has become known, Abdel Aziz Rantisi was killed on the evening of April 17 as the result of an Israeli missile attack from the air. As a result of this the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories has again sharply aggravated.

In this connection Moscow is expressing serious concern over the likely implications of what has happened and over the buildup of tensions in the Middle East. Russia has repeatedly stated its rejection of extrajudicial executions and "pinpoint liquidations."

We do not cast any doubt on Israel's right to defend itself from terrorist attacks or to protect its citizens. But it ought to be exercised within international law and, in particular, the Fourth Geneva Convention.

By military actions of this kind it is impossible to achieve either a Palestinian-Israeli settlement or a turn towards peace in the region as a whole. We are convinced that the sole way out of the situation is for the Palestinians and Israelis to show restraint and a high sense of responsibility and to resume the coordination of actions in the field of security and in general the implementation of all the Road Map's provisions, accepted by both parties and endorsed by the international community. For its part, Russia will continue to facilitate all constructive steps in this direction.

April 18, 2004