In this connection, we examined the question of a possible U.S.-Russian summit. We are proceeding from the assumption that such a summit meeting could take place at the G-8 Summit in Genoa or even before it.

Secretary Powell invited me to visit the United States, and we assume that this visit will take place in the near future. We exchanged views on a large number of key issues. We began with the consideration of issues related to strategic stability, and we will continue this dialogue during my visit to Washington. We also discussed regional problems.

We have made a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East. In this statement, our countries called upon both sides to take reciprocal steps to reduce violence, normalize the situation, and resume the negotiation process.

We have expressed our mutual satisfaction concerning the work of our representatives negotiating the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, and we will pursue this cooperation in the interest of reaching a final settlement.

We have also agreed to resume the work of our bilateral group on the issues of an Afghanistan settlement.

We exchanged views on the situation in the Balkans, in connection with yesterday's meeting of the Contact Group, and I expressed my appreciation to Secretary Powell for his condolences over the death of a Russian peacekeeper yesterday.

We also discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf, in the Transdniestria Region and the Abkhazian Region, and we also discussed other issues. I would like to stress again that we had a very fruitful, open and constructive discussion on all issues, and I think that it is on these lines in this period that we should continue the dialogue between our countries.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Mr. Minister. I thank you for the hospitality of your beautiful Embassy, and I agree with you that we had a very, very fruitful discussion this morning.

Let me again now publicly express my condolences on the loss of the Russian soldier yesterday who gave his life in the cause of peace.

The Minister has well covered all of the various issues that we discussed this morning. Let me just say that I am very much looking forward to receiving him in Washington, where we can continue our discussions. We hope that this meeting will take place in the very near future.

We are also going to begin a dialogue between the two sides at every level - between trade ministers, economic ministers, finance ministers. We have also committed this morning that Deputy Secretary Armitage will participate in the working group on Afghanistan that has done productive work in the past, and has the potential to do so in the future.

The Minister made an excellent suggestion that we should spend more time with our respective legislatures, and should have inter-parliamentary conversations and talks. So when he comes to Washington I will invite him, and I am sure he will be invited directly by members of Congress, to spend time with the Congress. I look forward to doing the same with the Duma when I make my reciprocal visit to Moscow. I suggested to the Minister that perhaps we should let him go through a confirmation hearing so he can get the full sense of what the American Congress is all about.

Of course we're looking forward to the meeting of our two Presidents, which will happen no later than the G-8 meeting in July. We hope that there may be a possibility of doing it earlier, but the schedules are difficult to reconcile. Both Presidents � I think I can speak for Igor � both Presidents are anxious to see this meeting take place as soon as possible, but no later than the time of the G-8 Summit.

QUESTION: I have a question for both of you. Should we understand from your comments then that the U.S.-Russian relationship has recovered from any damage that has been done by the mutual expulsions of diplomats from Washington and Moscow? And Minister Ivanov, could you respond to reports in Russian newspapers this morning that you may be about to move onto a new job?

MINISTER IVANOV: On the first question, by having today's talks I think we have clearly demonstrated that we are both interested in turning this page, and that we have strong interests in building constructive and productive mutual relations. As to the second question, I can say that I have not received any other proposals from anyone.

SECRETARY POWELL: I agree with the Minister's comment with respect to your first question. We have moved on from that incident.

QUESTION: How do you assess the prospects at the current stage for the development of Russian-American relations in the context of strategic stability? Are there any possibilities for moving forward in this direction?

SECRETARY POWELL: We had an opening discussion on American ideas with respect to how we should move into the future concerning strategic offensive systems, defensive systems, the proper role of arms control in the strategic relationship. It was an initial discussion of some of the concepts that are coming out of the American review of strategic forces, and we will have a more extensive discussion of these issues when the Minister visits next month with his experts.

MINISTER IVANOV: At the beginning of our meeting today, the Secretary of State said that the U.S. Administration is interested in promoting a dialogue with us on all issues, both on those where our positions or views coincide and on those where we have disagreement. And I think that it is through such a constructive dialogue that we will be looking for ways to achieve mutual understanding on all issues on our agenda.

QUESTION: General Powell, did Minister Ivanov assure you that Russian arms sales to Iran are not destabilizing the region, and number two, given the size of the American-Russian relationship with twenty-seven agencies operating in Moscow, is there any idea of replacing the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission as a framework? What would be the framework for this dialogue?

SECRETARY POWELL: On the second question, we won't replicate the Gore-Chernomyrdin model, but we will have other models. I have already spoken to members of the President's cabinet that they should begin dialogues with their counterparts in Russia. I think there will be a variety of contacts going back and forth that will more than make up for what some people think may have been lost with the end of the Gore-Chernomyrdin discussions.

I think you will see a very, very vibrant set of exchanges at a number of different levels. Frankly, we announced a couple of these this morning, with what Ambassador Armitage will be doing with the working group on Afghanistan and what Igor and I will be doing with our meetings next month, I hope. We have already seen that our economic ministers and our trade ministers have already begun having discussions. I think we'll more than replicate that.

We had a good discussion on arm sales to Iran and we will continue to have that discussion at our next meeting, I'm sure. The Minister is well aware of our concerns on those sorts of sales, and we will continue that discussion.

QUESTION: Have you discussed the issue of NATO expansion and how important do you think it is for you to take into account Russia's position, Russian interests, while discussing this issue within the North Atlantic Alliance?

SECRETARY POWELL: It's an area that, I think, we will discuss in greater detail when we have our next meeting, and we will of course take into account Russia's interest and views on the subject. But NATO, as you know, is an alliance of nations that have a common purpose, and the purpose of this alliance in no way is a threat to any other country in Europe. So we will continue to evaluate the expansion of NATO on the basis of standards and conditions that NATO sets. Minister Ivanov can be absolutely sure that we will exchange views with him as we move forward towards a decision whether or not there should or should not be an expansion to NATO.

QUESTION: Can you say whether the issue of Chechnya was discussed ? And did you have any assurances on the kinds of arms that Russia would be selling to Iran?

MINISTER IVANOV: As to the Iranian issue, Secretary Powell has already responded to this question. We pay attention to the concerns which are raised by the U.S. side, and we are ready to pursue the dialogue and discussions on all the issues which might be raised in this connection.

Concerning the situation in the Chechen Republic, Secretary Powell has informed me that this issue is a subject of concern of U.S. public opinion. I think that the openness that the Russian side is demonstrating on this issue must help the public opinion in the United States and in other countries to understand what is happening there, and what steps the Russian leadership is taking.

QUESTION: Secretary Powell, can you make a comment about the American crew now that they're back on American soil?

SECRETARY POWELL: I am very pleased that they are back on American soil. I don't know the exact status. I assume they are taking a few hours of relaxation and getting debriefed in Guam, and then they'll head on to Hawaii. But that's all I know about the situation right now.

QUESTION: Are you optimistic that you will in fact get the plane back?

SECRETARY POWELL: We'll see, we'll see.

[end]