Russian Foreign Minister: International organizations must have clear-cut position in regard to Chechen terrorists

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and US State Secretary Colin Powell discussed in a telephone conversation the situation around the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya.

The Russian Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department said on Saturday that during the phone talk the day before Colin Powell expressed his condolences in connection with the death of people as a result of a "cruel terrorist act" in Grozny, particularly stressing the necessity to join hands in combating terrorism.

Igor Ivanov said the Russian side was "ready for a corresponding dialog and cooperation with international organizations, but they must have a clear-cut position as regards Chechen terrorists."