Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

According to incoming reports, hostilities have sharply intensified in Liberia recently between government forces and the armed opposition that have now engulfed the capital Monrovia already. The evacuation is being conducted of foreign citizens, including staff of diplomatic missions, refugee flows have increased and the humanitarian situation has become exacerbated further still.

Moscow stands for the quickest possible return to normalcy in Liberia and the advancement of the peace process. This would help overcome the long-standing internal crisis in the country and would have a positive effect on the situation in the sub-region of West Africa as a whole.

There are no official Russian representations in Monrovia, the interests of Russia in Liberia are ensured by our embassy in Ghana.

June 10, 2003