Patriarch Of Moscow And All Russia: Terrorism Can Only Be Held Back By A Common Effort

Terrorism can be only prevented by joint efforts, said Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II, receiving Ambassador of the United States to the Russian Federation Alexander Vershbow. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church noted that the appointment of the American diplomat to the ambassadorial post in Russia had taken place at a "memorable time and coincidentally with the tragic events, which we are living through together". Now Russia and the United States have common goals in fighting terrorism, said Alexy II. The tragic events which took place in the United States can hardly be comprehended, said the patriarch. He recalled that Russia knew from its own bitter experience what terrorism was like. Patriarch Alexy II expressed the hope that the international community had become aware of the need for a joint struggle against international terrorism.