With good reason the inauguration of the new Yad Vashem Museum may be called a global scale event. This is confirmed by the presence high representatives from many countries at the Mountain of Remembrance in Jerusalem. All the civilized mankind must know the truth about the horrible tragedy of the Holocaust so that it would never happen again.Anti-Semitism, xenophobia, racial discrimination and chauvinism must be eradicated from our life.
Today's ceremony is taking place in the year of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War It. We mourn the victims and remember the immortal heroic deeds of all those who made the glorious Victory Day come true. This is our common day of celebration. A great number of veterans who currently live in various parts of the world, including Israel, are being awarded these days the Russian jubilee medal. In Israel this medal will be awarded to over 20 thousand persons. We are glad that Mr. Moshe Katsav, the President of the of Israel, and a delegation veterans from Israel, will attend the festivities to be held in Moscow next May.
The tragic experience of the should strengthen our common determination counteract global threats and challenges of the new century, the most dangerous of it being terrorism. It is no less perfidious than fascism, nor is it less merciless. Having made mass killings of people an aim in itself, terrorists definitely opposed themselves to the civilized world. They have neither nationality, nor religion. Their actions could not be justified. Joint resolute fight against terrorism in any of its manifestations is the only possible responce to this challenge to the world community. We can cope with this XXl century evil only by uniting our efforts. That was the way we fought fascism during World War II.
International interaction should help to achieve comprehensive Middle East settlement. Unfortunately, innocent people continue to die in this region every day. While staying in the Middle East we should reaffirm our determination to contribute in every possible way to achieving of lasting peace in the region. States and peoples of the Middle East should live in peace. Such a comprehensive settlement is based on the implementation of the "Road map" worked out by the Quartet of international mediators. Being one of its active participants, Russia is ready to contribute to this in every way.
Establishment of peace and security in the Middle East will become our joint contribution to perpetuating the memory of Holocaust.
