Russia Ready To Negotiate Security Of Civilians In Military Clashes

Russia has announced that it is open to a dialogue with the UN /United Nations/ on summoning up additional international political and legal means to ensure security of civilians in armed clashes. Speaking at an official session of the UN Security Council, Russia's Ambassador to the UN Sergei Lavrov said that for Russia the bulwark of civilians' protection lied in rooting out wars from the public life, and preventing and thwarting conflicts. Hence the concept of international strategic stability that Russia pushed at the UN Millennium Summit and Assembly. It is the countries and the sides involved in the military clash who must protect civilians, stressed the Russian diplomat. And the efforts by international organisations can assist in this process. He pointed to the need to strictly divide labour in this and other spheres in keeping with the UN Charter and other international levers. Sergei Lavrov highly assessed the reports of the UN Secretary General on the issue, emphasising that many of his initiatives coincided with Russia's stand. At stake is protection of such population groups as children, the national and international, if need be, prosecution of criminals, including by the international criminal court. The Russian Ambassador to the UN reminded that Russia had signed the status of this court at the UN Millennium Assembly.

Visit www.rian.ru for RIA 'Novosti' news.