31 August 2004 -- Germany, France, and Russia expressed concern today about the Iranian nuclear policy, and discussed terror and the breakaway republic of Chechnya.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Jacques Chirac, and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stressed in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi that the international community should not allow Iran to own nuclear weapons.
The leaders also announced closer cooperation in fighting international terrorism.
Meanwhile, Putin blamed Al-Qaeda for bomb attacks on two Russian planes and fighting in Chechnya. "The link between destructive elements, terrorists who are still active in Chechnya [and international terrorism] has been proven once again, because an international terrorist organization linked to Al-Qaeda assumed responsibility for carrying out the terrorist acts, as they stated themselves," he said.
Putin also said Chechnya would always remain a part of Russia because "the Chechen people have made their choice."
(AFP/dpa)
The leaders also announced closer cooperation in fighting international terrorism.
Meanwhile, Putin blamed Al-Qaeda for bomb attacks on two Russian planes and fighting in Chechnya. "The link between destructive elements, terrorists who are still active in Chechnya [and international terrorism] has been proven once again, because an international terrorist organization linked to Al-Qaeda assumed responsibility for carrying out the terrorist acts, as they stated themselves," he said.
Putin also said Chechnya would always remain a part of Russia because "the Chechen people have made their choice."
(AFP/dpa)