Briefing of the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich, 2 March 2012

On early field voting at elections of the President of the Russian Federation

I would like to draw your attention to two particular features of an early field voting at elections of the President of the Russian Federation which are different to the recent elections to the State Duma. They are widening of geography of places of early voting and permissions of local authorities in a number of states to hold such an early voting.

Motives of such kind of voting, provided an agreement of local authorities, greatly vary: working environment, transport remoteness from polling stations, compact concentration of the electorate, work in shifts, vacations and business trips.

Here are some interesting facts. For the first time an opportunity to cast their votes has been provided to geologists in Angola, tourists in the Dominican Republic; yesterday 159 staff-members of international organizations in the youngest state of Africa – Southern Sudan, 8 sailors of the joint fishing enterprise Calipesca in the sea port of Maputo, 23 Russians in the office of the Honorary Consul of Russia in the Republic of Maldives cast their votes. As we witnessed during elections to the State Duma, very active is the early voting in Latvia - 603 voters cast their votes in Jelgava, 464 voters in the Amber coast health centre in the popular resort town of Jurmala.

The widening of geography of polling stations can be seen on the example of positive decision of authorities in Canadian cities of Calgary and Edmonton who withheld such permissions during elections to the State Duma, but met a request of our Embassy and representatives of the Russian Diaspora at the Presidential elections - 368 voters cast their votes over there.

One should also positively note an approach of local authorities in Germany. At the request of the Embassy of Russia in Berlin they allowed for the first time, as an exception, an early voting on 1 March at the offices of Russian Honorary Consuls and Social-Cultural Centres of fellow countrymen. Yesterday, altogether 2190 voters took part in this voting.

Altogether, an early voting at the Presidential elections will be organized by 92 election commissions in 166 towns and settlements in 62 countries.

I would like to inform that on 4 March the Central Election Commission will arrange periodical on-line reports from Russian missions abroad and there will be an opportunity to ask questions to Russian representatives over there. Technical aspects are in the competence of the Central Election Commission.

On the forthcoming working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Nasser Judeh
 

On 4 March the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Nasser Judeh will pay a working visit to Moscow.

Jordan is one of the key partners of Russia in the Middle East. Our political dialogue is remarkable for its dynamics – regular contacts on the highest and high levels are of friendly character, provide an opportunity to confidently discuss all the issues of mutual interest.

We closely watch developments in this country. We share the view of our Jordanian friends that to successfully realize a complex of political and social reforms carried out in this country it is necessary to seriously modernize the economy. In this connection we attach great importance to the development of the trade and economic cooperation between our nations, to its widening and introduction of new forms of interaction including in the frames of the Deauville partnership". Opportunities and a good basis for it are here.

Talks in Moscow are supposed to review the most pressing issues of the Russian-Jordanian relations, to determine concrete practical steps for their further development and intensification in the nearest and medium-term prospect. The Ministers intend to particularly explore opportunities to boost cooperation in the trade, economic, energy, agricultural and military-technical spheres of bilateral cooperation.

Taking into account the traditional weighty participation of Jordan in regional affairs, Sergey Lavrov and Nasser Judeh plan to discuss in detail the state of affairs in the Palestine-Israel settlement with an emphasis on the necessity to re-start the substantive negotiation process between Palestinians and Israelis on all the issues of the final status of occupied territories on the known internationally recognized legal basis. A particular attention will be paid to discussions about ways of creation of a favourable atmosphere to bring Palestinians and Israelis back to the table of negotiations. As it is known Jordan actively assists to overcome the deadlock in the Palestinian direction of the Middle East settlement, helped in particular, along with the "quartet", to hold in Amman in January the direct pre-negotiations contacts between the heads of the Palestinian and Israeli teams of negotiators.

It is also supposed to exchange views on processes which developed in a number of states of the Middle East and North Africa as a result of events of the "Arab spring" and consequent intricate circumstances. A particular attention will be given to the development of the situation in Syria and to the exchange of views on ways to form a consolidated approach of all the states interested in a peaceful free from foreign interference settlement of the Syrian crisis in order to ensure conditions for immediate ceasefire, to save civilians from sufferings, to solve pressing humanitarian problems, to start a wide inclusive dialogue among authorities and all Syrian opposition groups without preconditions and on the basis of preservation of sovereignty of Syria.

On the results of the second round of the IAEA - Tehran talks
 

From the beginning of this year, already two groups of the IAEA experts headed by the Deputy Director-General of the Agency Herman Nackerts visited Iran.

We welcome the resumption of close cooperation of the sides to clarify issues regarding the so-called "supposed research" of the allegedly military nature in the frames of the Iranian nuclear programme which is carried out in accordance with the resolution of the IAEA Board of Governers on Iran adopted in November of 2011.

The sides are working on modes of such cooperation. The possibility of a visit of the IAEA experts to a number of Iranian sites in the course of the forthcoming visits to Iran of the IAEA inspection groups is being explored. We hope that these contacts will be productive. It is too early to make any conclusions.

Prospects of advance in the process of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme
 

The Russian Federation undertakes active efforts aimed at the comprehensive and long-term settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear programme by exclusively political-diplomatic means through the establishment of a dialogue between the "six" and Iran on the basis of principles of mutual respect, step-by-step approach and reciprocity. In this regard we welcome the readiness of the Iranian side to resume negotiations process with the "six" without preconditions and with clear indication of the Iranian nuclear programme as one of the key subjects for discussion confirmed in the written reply message of the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Saeed Jalili dated 14 February 2012 to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

On the situation with detention of a group of persons accused of fraud with health insurance in the USA
 

Responding to numerous requests of media to comment this situation I can say that right after we received news about the detention of a group of persons charged of fraud in the USA which might include, as asserted, emigrants from Russia the MFA of Russia and Russian missions in the USA took appropriate steps to ascertain the situation. Up to now there is no data that anybody from the detained persons has the Russian citizenship. For the moment neither the detained nor their relatives applied for a consular help. We keep permanent contact with American authorities. We will closely monitor the situation.

On the situation in Afghanistan after an incident with burning of Koran
 

Last week the situation in Afghanistan greatly aggravated. Mass demonstrations took place in various regions of the country. The reason for protests was an incident with burning of a few copies of Koran at the American airbase Bagram near Kabul. In some places the demonstrations developed into attacks on provincial and district administration premises, foreign missions. For example, in Kunduz province in the north of Afghanistan protesters attacked the office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Staff members of the mission were evacuated. As far as we know, during the period from the beginning of disorders during disperse of demonstrations there were killed more than 30 people, not less than 180 were sustained injuries.

The aggravation of situation in Afghanistan causes our concern. Treating with respect religious beliefs of Moslems and condemning the incident that took place at the American airbase in Bagram we urge not to allow the development of protest demonstrations into mass riots and acts of violence.

On the fourth annual scientific forum of expert centres of the BRICS countries
 

On March 5-6 in Delhi in view of the forthcoming at the end of March summit of the BRICS the fourth annual scientific forum of expert centres of the BRICS countries Partnership for stability, security and development will be held to review such global issues as prospects of the BRICS development by 2020, problems of climate change, food security and water resources, urbanization, development of education, exchange of technologies, establishment of the BRICS bank and investment fund. The Russian delegation headed by the Director of the Institute of Latin America Studies of the Russian Academy of Science V. Davydov will consist of prominent scientists in the field of economy, oriental studies, and experts from specialized scientific-research centres.

From the Russian side, the issues of participation in the forum are coordinated by the National research committee of the BRICS established in this January by the Russian World Fund together with the Russian Academy of Science and with an active support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From the Indian side the organizer of the forum will be the Centre for International Issues of the Observer Fund.

In case of a necessity we are ready to give contacts in the Russian World Fund as well as information about media accreditation at the forum.

On fire at the Brazilian Antarctic station Commandante Ferraz
 

News about a fire in the Brazilian scientific research Antarctic station which resulted in several casualties caused our grief and sorrow. The most part of the infrastructure of this important centre for environment studies, meteorology and problems of climate change in the Southern Hemisphere has been destroyed.

We express our deep condolences to relatives and friends of the scientists perished.

Colleagues from various countries rushed to assist Brazilian Polar explorers including Russian Polar explorers from the Bellingshausen station. We are grateful that this assistance has been highly praised by the authorities of Brazil. The Embassy of Russia in Brazil has received relevant official letter. We are ready to render assistance in the future too to our partners and colleagues in the spirit of constructive cooperation existing between our states, including in Antarctic.

Interview of Sergey Lavrov to the Russian Newspaper

I would like to draw your attention to an interview of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to the Russian Newspaper published today. It deals with pressing problems including Syria and the system of international law as a whole and with Russian approach to a question how this system should be developed in future.

Answers to media questions:

Question: The Russian Federation has supported the statement of the UN Security Council calling upon Syrian authorities to give humanitarian missions an access to the country. Is Russia ready to support a possible resolution of the UN Security Council endorsing such calls?

Answer: You are speaking about a hypothetic document. Up to now, there is no draft. Recently, there has been a lot of talk about humanitarian issues in the context of the Syrian crisis including an aspect connected with the evacuation of peaceful people, those injured and journalists who entered a number of Syrian regions without accreditation or permission of local authorities. It created great problems for their salvation. As it is known there were leaks in some media that with the help of rebels some journalists had been transferred to Lebanon. Later this information had been confirmed. Once again it shows who was in control in some quarters of the town of Homs. I will not speak on this subject in detail – we repeatedly stated the Russian position in this regard and yesterday at a meeting with chief editors of leading foreign news agencies and publications the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin explained in detail our approach to the settlement of the Syrian crisis.

I would like to draw your attention to comments in the official site of the Russian Foreign Ministry published as a reply to the statement of the US State Secretary Hillary Clinton. It states principal approaches of the Russian side. Besides, you will find detailed and profound comments on the issue of humanitarian consequences of the Syrian crisis.

As far as the work conducted in the UN Security Council is concerned informal consultations are going on about possible reaction of the Security Council to the developments in Syria. In the course of ceaseless consultations in the UN Security Council different ideas, views, considerations and suggestions are being expressed. Also some approaches are being discussed but since they are of a particularly informal character it is difficult and inexpedient to comment them.

In all the discussions the Russian side continues to proceed from the basic approaches: non-use of force from outside; clear signal both to the Syrian government and to groups of opposition to immediately stop violence and to start a wide inclusive dialogue to seek for mutually acceptable ways to come out of the crisis in the country; refusal from any foreign interference. With these approaches we work in the UN Security Council. These approaches are the basis of our consistent line and we will continue to carry it out not only in the frames of this principal body of the UN but in other forums too. As an example – our reaction to the recent resolution of the UN Human Rights Commission by results of "urgent debates" in Geneva.

Question: Is there any news about situation with Russian sailors taken prisoners in Nigeria? Did the kidnappers demand anything? What efforts are being taken to set them free?

Answer: The situation is not fully clear. Pirates avoid contacts. The Embassy of Russia actively cooperates with Nigerian authorities including special services to assess a possible assistance to Russian members of the crew and to secure their release from captivity. This is a painstaking delicate work and not only diplomatic. Our representatives actively use all the opportunities. To my mind before long we will be able to give you detailed information about development of the situation. I hope that as in earlier similar cases we will be able to secure the release of our citizens.

Question: The Ambassador of Iran in Moscow Seyed Reza Sajjadi stated in his blog that Open Joint-Stock Company VTB Bank where the Embassy keeps its accounts has demanded that all the funds from its accounts should be drawn out within today. Does the Ministry have any information about reasons of such actions? How can you comment this situation?

Answer: It is necessary to look into details and to address this question to the Ambassador. There is a suspicion that it might be one of manifestations of western exterritorial measures, namely – "switching off" of Iran from using the financial system of SWIFT bank accounts. Details are not known yet, we will try to find out everything and let you know at one of the nearest briefings. To get more detailed information I would recommend to approach the Embassy of Iran in Moscow.

Question: Yesterday the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin had a meeting with chief editors of leading world new agencies. At the meeting, the territorial issue with Japan was touched upon. The Prime Minister narrated the chronology of the negotiations process, mentioned the importance of the joint Declaration of 1956, confirmed an intention and desire to finally close this problem between our two states by way of a mutually acceptable treaty. He also said that after he becomes the President he will put the Russian Foreign Ministry at the table of negotiations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and will give instructions to start negotiations. Will the Russian side proceed from the joint Declaration between the USSR and Japan of 1956 as the basis for future treaties in this case?

Answer: At the meeting with chief editors of leading foreign news agencies Vladimir Putin gave a very detailed account of our approach to relations with Japan including the problem of the peace treaty. In this connection we do not see a necessity in any additional comments.

As far as the joint Declaration of the USSR and Japan of 1956 is concerned, the Russian side proceeds from belief that this is the basic document which stopped the state of war between the two countries and restored our diplomatic relations.

Question: Today, the authorities of Japan declared that from now on they would identify southern Kuril Islands not as an "unlawfully occupied territory" but as a "territory occupied without judicial grounds". How would you comment such a decision? Is it a formality from the Japanese or a serious step towards Russia?

Answer: First of all, it is necessary to read the original of the declaration. As Vladimir Putin noted at the meeting with media editors we look at the problem much wider than you write. In other words, while you write we examine problems and what is going on at the local level. This is an interesting and deep phrase and it should not be viewed as critics.

We should assess what is the essence of a declaration you mentioned. Principally I do not see any particular movement. Rather, one may speak about "judicial position" the Japanese colleagues tell us about every time we start a talk on the territorial issue. I repeat once again – Kuril Islands are the Russian territory, their status is clear, not to be discussed and is not a subject of negotiated settlements or outcomes.

At the same time, we are open to develop these territories together with the Japanese colleagues, to build economic cooperation helping local residents in that way to improve economic infrastructure. President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev talked about it in Khabarovsk in November 2011. This position of ours we stated once again to the Japanese colleagues in the course of the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov to Tokyo on 28 January this year.

Question: How would you comment the news appeared in media yesterday about the forthcoming meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov with Heads of Foreign Ministries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG)? It seemed rather strange that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Haled Al-Hamad As-Sabah announced through media the place and the date of the meeting. Then there was your comment. What can you say in addition to this?

Answer: Our comment yesterday clearly says that it was the Russian proposal. We put forward this proposal to colleagues in the CCASG. Keeping in mind the urgency of the Syrian issue, where it is necessary to seek for collective approach to a settlement, we came out with a relevant initiative about such a meeting. At the beginning the colleagues gave their consent but later took a pause and said that the dates suggested are not suitable.

We believe that the format of the strategic dialogue with the CCASG is very important. It was initiated on 1 November 2011. We actively started and value this format. We figure that the principal agreement about the necessity of holding such a meeting is there. A laborious process of coordination of dates is going on. We will monitor a reaction of the colleagues. To my mind, such a meeting will be useful from every point of view. An active continuation of this dialogue was a subject of talks at the Russia-CCASG ministerial inauguration meeting on November 2011 in Abu Dhabi.

Question: How can you comment the intensification of contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iraq? There was a telephone talk of the Russian President with the Prime Minister of Iraq and telegrams were sent. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Bogdanov visited Baghdad. A message on behalf the President of Russia was sent to Iraqi leadership. Publications in the press commented it in a way that Russia tries to build its relations in the region in contrast to what is being done by western states.

Answer: We maintained and maintain multilateral ties and contacts. The message of the President of Russia should not be perceived as anything extraordinary. Few days back there was a visit of the special representative of the President for the Middle East, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov. Such contacts were not interrupted – in 2011 the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov paid a visit Baghdad.

We will develop the dialogue in future too. There is no need to look for any underwater stones or to try to represent Russian policy as a kind of counterbalance to somebody. From our side, we also request our western colleagues not to form their approaches to this region in contrast to the Russian position. On the contrary, it is necessary to seek for points of contiguity and to extinguish hotbeds of tension by joint efforts, by peaceful means while preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states of the region.

Question: It is known that Russia enjoys the status of an observer in the League of Arab States. Is Russia set to take part in the Summit of the LAS planned in Baghdad? Answer: For the moment I can't say anything in this regard. We will monitor the preparation of this meeting because the status of an observer differs from what the LAS member states will be occupied with.

The format of the dialogue with the League of Arab States is an important part of the Russian presence in the region. We welcome the development of such dialogue. I am sure that the visit of Mikhail Bogdanov and our contacts are connected with efforts to try to enliven this format and to continue a search of points of contiguity. Lately, as you might observe Sergey Lavrov has been keeping active contacts with the LAS Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi. Let me remind that Russia actively supported the last year initiative of the League, the main thesis of which formed the basis of our principal line in the Syrian crisis – to stop violence as soon as possible whatever direction it comes from. We believe the format of the dialogue with the LAS to be very useful. Let's hope for its progress.

Question: Could you comment agreements reached last Friday between Belgrade and Pristina?

Answer: 22-24 February, the regular ninth round of direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina was held in Brussels. In accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution of 9 September 2010 the dialogue is being conducted with the assistance of the European Union.

In the course of the last round an agreement was achieved about modality of Kosovo's participation in regional organizations and forums. In particular, it was agreed that while using the name Kosovo it is a must to make a reference that it does not predetermine any position on a status of the territory and conforms to the basic resolution 1244 of the Security Council and to the consultative judgment of the International Court about declaration of independence of Kosovo.

According to official estimations of Belgrade, the agreements achieved meet the national interests of Serbs and reaffirm the fundamental nature of the UN Security Council resolution 1244.

Question: 6 March is the date of beginning of a "reload" in relations between Russia and the USA. In this connection, could you say whether the processes started in the frame of this agreement are still going on or the project has failed? Did the pre-election period in the USA somehow influence the process of this "reload"?

Answer: "Reload" is not our term or our thesis. We always proceeded and continue to proceed from the belief that Russia has been establishing with the USA a real equitable strategic partnership, mutual respectful dialogue taking into account interests and positions of each other. The term "reload" can be attributed, sooner, to the course which President Barak Obama and his administration began to pursue after he came to power.

To my mind in principle this is a positive development. A lot has been done but still there are problems since both Russia and the USA are two biggest powers. Among the main problem issues - the AMD and a number of other international issues including the situation with a settlement in Syria, in other "hot spots" in various regions. Nevertheless both sides maintain the mutual interest to build such relations in the strategic scope with projection onto foreseeable prospect and with a positive agenda. It was vividly demonstrated by the recent exchange of messages between the Presidents of Russia and the USA.

Question: In connection with your information about the early voting at the elections of the President of Russia could you explain whether the voting will be held abroad on the very day of elections - 4 March? If yes, could you give statistic data about the supposed number of voters?

Answer: Certainly it will be held. But today I am speaking about the early field voting. In this connection I draw your attention to the commentary of the MFA of 27 February this year where we answered all these questions. The main statistic data will be published after the voting. However you can monitor the tendencies in the Central Election Commission where as I have already said the on-line transmission will be arranged from a number of Russian missions abroad. You will be able to get news about the voting in localities and also about specific moments of voting in one or another place.

Question: Could you explain how on-line reports from polling stations in Russian missions abroad will be arranged in a technical sense keeping in mind the fact that as far as we know there will be no video monitoring of voting over there?

Answer: We speak about technically different things. On-line transmission is a mode of a video conference and our missions abroad have abilities to establish video contacts with the Central Election Commission. The installation of video cameras in polling stations is quite a different matter. While dealing with this issue, the main task was to provide such technical means to polling stations on the territory of the Russian Federation. A lot of budget funds have been allocated for it, but now there is a chance to monitor the process of voting in a new way.

Question: As far as the voting at the elections of the President of Russia in foreign countries is concerned how it will take place in countries with a tense political situation, including Syria?

Answer: The process of voting will be arranged taking into account the existing situation and security issues. We expect that the TV channel Russia 24 will show a direct report of the special correspondent about the process of voting at the Embassy of Russia in Damascus. At the next briefing, we will try to summarize voting processes in Russian missions abroad.

Question: During yesterday hearings in the US Congress there was a report by the Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Jeffrey D. Feltman who conducted meetings and consultations in Moscow. I would like to quote his words: "American administration is trying hard to convince Russia not to catch on Bashar Assad regime as on the sinking "Titanic".

He also said that during consultations in Moscow he felt a great discomfort of the Russian side on account of its involvement in Syrian affairs. How would you comment it?

Answer: It is a complicate question. As far as I understand you ask me to assess the feelings of a staff-member of the US administration after his visit to Moscow. If the continued dialogue seems discomfort to somebody it is necessary to get rid of this feeling and then to continue the talk keeping in mind that we carry it out in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect and are seeking for joint points of contiguity. That is the mandate of any special representative.

The problem is complicate, but the Russian practically every day states its approach to Syrian affairs. Once again, I want to draw your attention to the interview of Sergey Lavrov to the "Russian newspaper" published today, which clearly states the position of Russia in respect of approaches to a settlement of the situation in Syria. Perhaps the key idea in the interview – we do not defend a regime, we defend justice and stand for the cessation of violence and alleviation of sufferings of the Syrian people. But the Syrian people themselves should find a comfort mode of development. This simple logic is clear not only to foreign policy bureaucrats but to ordinary people. It is easy to understand and that is a peace-loving approach. Striving for settlement of disputes by peaceful means is essentially the aim of all the system of the United Nations. The UN Charter consolidates the priority of peaceful means of settlement of disputes allowing other methods only in case of approval by the UN Security Council. We see that in the frames of this simple logic somebody feels himself not comfortable with, but the Russian side will actively oppose such attitudes and will be proving that any other system of the world should not exist.

Question: Today there are elections in Iran. In western media one can find views about possibility to estimate them as illegitimate because the opposition called to boycott them. What is the Russian estimation of the situation in Iran during these elections? How can you comment estimations of western media? May we speak that this is a special action on the day of voting?

Answer: To my mind, it is tactless to speak about estimations and to comment words of opposition on the day of elections which are not completed yet. It is quite natural for any opposition in any country to criticize authorities and speak about legitimacy, illegitimacy or not full legitimacy of elections. Let us not run ahead of events, wait for results of elections and only then draw conclusions.

There are a number of Russian journalists in Iran who will monitor the voting and results. You will be able to estimate what is going on in the neighbouring country by reports of not only western but also Russian news agencies. By the way, on the eve of elections in Russia at a press conference in the premises of Interfax Gennady Zyuganov expresses his active civic position but this is not a ground to make a conclusion that everything will be like that. Let us wait at least for intermediate results.

Slogans of opposition are the normal process of participation of various segments of civil society in elections. Keeping in mind the present situation in Iran the elections to the Parliament seem to be important because its composition will influence the preparation of the presidential elections to be held next year. I will try to come back to this subject at the next briefing.

Question: Why did Russia not support the resolution on Syria which condemns actions of the Syrian leadership on 4 February?

Answer: Let me draw your attention to the official statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry on this subject published on our website in Russian, English and Spanish.

Question: When Bashar Assad regime falls what to your mind will the attitude of the new Syrian government towards Russia be?

Answer: I leave this question without any reply because of its provocative nature. Al-Jazira channel has a tendency to ask provocative questions. Let me note that the Russian side stands not for overthrow of some regimes but in favour of political settlement of conflicts which should be achieved by the Syrians themselves through a dialogue.