Question: As far as we can judge, the report of Hans Blix, the UNMOVIC head, is steeped in rather harsh tones with regard to Iraq. Does it give any grounds for terminating inspections and starting military action against Iraq? How is the situation now being assessed by the United Nations Security Council members?

Sergei Lavrov: Two reports were submitted in the UNSC today - the reports by Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei. They concerned the four dossiers: nuclear, chemical, biological and missile. With regard to the nuclear dossier ElBaradei reported very serious progress and his intention to close this dossier in the coming months. With respect to the other issues, on which Blix reported, he himself acknowledged that the Iraqis had presented in their declaration of a month ago, which the inspectors have studied, new information on missiles and biotechnologies, which is very useful. A second important observation based on the communications of Blix and ElBaradei is that their joint visit to Baghdad made it possible to agree with Baghdad on the steps which actually spell more active cooperation by the Iraqis with the inspectors. In particular, a special commission will be set up to investigate the specific facts which the inspectors have uncovered. Blix called for establishing such commissions on other issues as well.

The third conclusion, which is very important: all the discovered evidences of past programs (and the inspectors did find something) - the materials and documents - do not alter the major conclusion drawn by UNMOVIC and IAEA that now they cannot say that they have proofs that programs for the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction have been resumed in Iraq. They again urged countries claiming they have such proofs to furnish them to the inspectors.

And the very last, and the most important point is that both Blix and ElBaradei called upon the UN Security Council to continue to render support to the inspectors. The inspection process is proceeding effectively. Now in Iraq a unique human, technological, communication, and aviation potential is concentrated that is designed for inspection activity. They called for making full use of this potential.

Question: Ahead of the meeting, the United States had promised to furnish convincing evidence of Iraq's violations of resolution 1441. You said that so far the inspectors have found nothing. Did the US provide anything that could substantiate the use of force? Are we to understand the words of Blix that Iraq has never really accepted the demand that it disarm as meaning that Baghdad has after all breached the resolution of the UN Security Council?

Sergei Lavrov: I would not say so. The US today again through its United Nations Ambassador repeated its questions to Iraq, which are well known to all. But no proofs that development of weapons of mass destruction is continuing in Iraq were submitted. Hans Blix spoke of the necessity to study the new aspects that are being uncovered in the course of inspections, including on the basis of information which countries provide. The information which he has hitherto received from individual countries, as I understand, from the US among them, does not permit him to change his view that so far he has no proofs of a resumption of weapons of mass destruction programs in Iraq.

Question: Tomorrow the United States is going to call upon the UN Security Council members to create an international coalition for carrying out a military operation in Iraq. In your opinion, will the US manage to organize that coalition and what will be the stand of Russia in this case?

Sergei Lavrov: That proposal so far has not been made. Today, speaking after the Security Council meeting, the US Ambassador said that, in Washington's estimation, there remains less and less time and that the Security Council should think what to do next. He wasn't more specific. I heard no proposals, of which you said.