Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

On November 22, at the initiative of Russia and a group of CIS countries, which other states had also joined, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted without vote a resolution declaring May 8 and 9 Remembrance and Reconciliation Days. From now on these days will be marked annually as a tribute to the memory of the victims of World War II. The resolution provides for holding in May 2005 a special solemn meeting of the General Assembly.

The historic victory in May 1945created conditions for the establishment of the United Nations Organization, called upon to rid succeeding generations of the scourge of war. Looking to the future, the resolution of the General Assembly calls upon all countries to unite efforts in the fight against new challenges and threats, with the Organization playing a central role, and to do everything possible to settle all disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

The consensus adoption of the resolution bears out the generally valid character of the victory over fascism, which has become the common possession of humanity, and serves as a warning against a relapse of world wars in the future.

November 23, 2004