Brussels, 10/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana, High Representative of the EU for CFSP, the European Commission and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Walter Schwimmer, unreservedly condemned the attack in Grozny on Sunday. This bomb attack in a stadium in the capital, during a ceremony to commemorate the end of the second world war, cost the life of the pro-Russian Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov.
Mr Solana, Mr Schwimmer and the Commission have sent their sincere condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. "This heinous attack illustrates the need to further improve international co-ordination against terrorism world-wide", said the Commission, which continues by offering its support to find a peaceful solution to the conflict "which is agreeable to the majority of the Chechen population and respects the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation". "(...) Our organisation (...) is fully prepared to assist in the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation", said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Speaking on behalf of the EU Presidency, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, also condemned the attack in Grozny. "I unreservedly condemn this disgraceful act of terror in a packed stadium which robbed so many of their lives, including the President of the Chechen Republic, Mr Kadyrov. I would like to express my condolences with the families of all the victims of this terrible act. No political cause can justify terrorism", he said.