Foreign Minister Lavrov: At the meeting that took place with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, we discussed the main questions on the international agenda, which are one way or another related to UN activities or of concern to its member countries. We discussed the situation in the Middle East, including Palestinian-Israel relations, the tasks which we all placed before the Hamas movement after its victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, the situation around Syria and Lebanon, and the problems of Iraq. We also discussed Kosovo settlement and affirmed the necessity to follow the principles which are laid down in the Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council and in the decisions of the Contact Group.

We, of course, touched upon a theme that is one of the most discussed today: the nuclear program of Iran. We have the common opinion that it is necessary, of course, to wait for the results of the session of the IAEA Board of Governors. Our views also coincide that it is extremely important to act further in such a way as not to lose the possibility for the IAEA to continue working in Iran. This will probably determine our positions in continuing contacts with the European trio, the US, China and other Board members and, of course, the IAEA Director General and Iranians themselves. We also spoke in support of a number of events in which the UN Secretary General will participate as preparations go on for the G8 summit in St. Petersburg, including the upcoming World Congress of Religious Workers at the beginning of July in Moscow, where UN leaders have been invited by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II.

Question: Half an hour ago a report came in from Vienna that the Iranian dossier will be handed over to the UN. What do you think this mean? Should we expect some retaliatory action from the Iranians? There were threats.

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I do not think that such a decision was adopted. Most likely, it is about the resolution adopted at the previous, February session of the Board of Governors, which presupposed that the results of the debate, both in February and in March, would be among the documents of which, together with the Director General's reports, the United Nations Security Council would be informed. That's what's really happening in Vienna, I believe. Exactly this question is being discussed, and there was no decision to refer the dossier. So that the Security Council will, of course, be informed both of the report of the Director General of the IAEA and of the discussion that took place around this report.

Question: A few days ago, the Council on Foreign Relations' report on US policy toward Russia was released. It contains evaluations and recommendations. Could you comment upon this document?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I have not read it entirely but acquainted myself with some extracts. I regret that the report has been released under the aegis of a fairly serious and respected organization, the Council on Foreign Relations, because its contents do those no credit who would like to be called serious, respected political scientists. I think such an assessment is quite objective. When I was yesterday and the day before yesterday in Washington, at the meetings with US President George W. Bush and with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and with political scientists and with leading senators, as also with journalists at the press conference, I heard no questions or comments regarding this report, which in all my conversations was not mentioned at all. I think that's what this work is worth.

Question: Are you worried by the threat to use measures against Iran and the ensuing implications, of which Vice President Cheney warned? And regarding Syria and Lebanon. Do you think it is time Hezbollah laid down arms in the mainstream of UNSC Resolution 1559, and Syria ended its interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: On the question of Iran. I would not comment on statements of representatives of other states. I answer for the position of Russia. It consists in adhering to the accords which were previously reached at the February meeting of the working group on Iran in London between the European trio, Russia, China and the US. Regarding Syria and Lebanon. We discussed this yesterday in Washington. I expressed my satisfaction with the confirmation of the information which we received. Ever fewer undesirable persons are penetrating into Iraq. We welcome this kind of development. I can also add that next week we will be receiving in Moscow the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria, coming for a visit. We will discuss with him questions of implementation of the resolutions of the UN Security Council. We will express support for Syria's continued cooperation with the Brammertz commission. Such will be our position. Of course, we must be very cautious in discussing issues related to Syria as a whole so as not to get beyond what is contained in the resolution and not to use the resolution for political aims.

Concerning Hezbollah. Whatever information comes in - regarding attacks, violations, arms supply - we are ready to study it very carefully. Up to now we have heard that such things are happening. But until we have concrete evidence, we cannot comment on this. I, of course, would venture to assume that some day later, perhaps not so soon, we can return to the status of Shebaa Farms. This may be useful for clarifying the situation, including Hezbollah activities and the situation in the region as a whole.

Question: It is expected that the IAEA will refer the dossier to the Security Council. Here, in the United States, a statement is being awaited next week. I think very soon it will become clear what may happen. What do you expect from this statement, apart from the suggestion that Iran make concessions? What do you think the next move will be?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Firstly, the resolution of the last meeting of the working group, adopted in February, already predetermined that the UN Security Council at its February and upcoming March sessions would be informed of the state of affairs. This must happen. Information will be provided to the Security Council. Secondly, I haven't heard that the date has been named on which the UNSC meeting is scheduled on this question. But I have heard that the European trio has suggested continuing consultations in Vienna with the participation of Russia, the US, China, the Director General and the Iranians. And if this proposal is really laid down on the negotiating table, we, of course, will welcome it. I will repeat what our position is. There is a need to so act as to avoid the risk of losing the capacity and possibility of the IAEA to continue working in Iran and clear up all the questions about the Iranian nuclear program. It is very important for the international community and the nonproliferation regime to get answers to them. Do not forget that Russia has always stressed that this problem concerns the nonproliferation regime, not something else.

Question: Regarding the statements of the President. Does the Russian government consider the possibility of applying sanctions against Iran? What is the attitude of Russia to the fact that the US will try to set a 30-day period for Teheran, during which to fulfill the demands of the IAEA?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: What statements of the President do you mean?

Comment: That the US and Europeans are going to adopt next week...

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I did not see that, nor do I think any one of the Russian delegation could have seen it.

Question: A question regarding Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. Do you regard the use of force and sanctions, which this chapter is about, as an effective method?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: This looks like deja vu. You know I have many times answered a similar question regarding Iraq and do not think we should touch it. We are convinced that there can be no military solution to this crisis. Such is, I assume, the position of Britain and Germany, of which the ministers have publicly said. I don't think that sanctions are a means by which any crisis could ever have been resolved. I shall repeat what I have said. We must rely upon the professionalism of the IAEA and follow its advice - see to it that we shall all observe the nonproliferation regime. If we all agree that the Iranian nuclear program is connected with a desire to become convinced of the observance of this regime, let us rely upon the people who are keeping watch on this.