We have approached such a stage when any double standard in the perception of terrorism and terrorists should be fully ruled out, said the Russian ambassador. Mr. Ushakov explained that the notion of double standards meant as well the granting of asylum to terrorists and their accomplices on the international wanted list.
He expressed confidence that after the Beslan tragedy everyone will have a single standard of the fight against terrorism.
Russia was given an unprecedented challenge in Beslan, which cannot be compared by its consequences to anything anyone had to live through before, said Mr. Ushakov.
In this connection, stressed the Russian ambassador, we need to rethink a lot and work out new approaches to ensuring the national security. A principled readjustment of the whole system of law enforcers' interaction in the North Caucasus will be necessary. Besides, we in principle should get better prepared to react to emergencies, he said.
In Mr. Ushakov's words, now Russia is on the leading edge of fight against international terrorism. We have become an object of aggression of evil forces, and they wounded our country deeply. But we have decision and the power to defeat the enemy, and he won't go unpunished, said Mr. Ushakov.
The Russian diplomat said that when the military leadership voices Russia's readiness to eliminate terrorists and their bases in any region of the world, these are not empty words.
Mr. Ushakov expressed conviction that the American partners fully share this mood.
Mr. Ushakov thanked the U.S. government and all Americans for generous medical and humanitarian aid given to wounded in Beslan.
