Skip Navigation
You Are In: U.S. & Russia > Press Releases > 2006 > Ambassador Burns Visits the North Caucasus (December 05, 2006)
Skip Left Section Navigation

Press Releases

Ambassador Burns Visits the North Caucasus

December 05, 2006

On December 4 and 5, Ambassador Bill Burns traveled to the North Caucasus cities of Nalchik, Vladikavkaz, and Beslan. He met with President of Kabardino-Balkaria Arsen Bashirovich Kanokov and reinforced that the United States condemns all acts of terrorism and those who encourage terrorism. They spoke about the importance of attracting investment to create employment and promote stability and discussed the prospects for additional American investment to the region. The Ambassador also stressed the importance of the recent U.S.-Russia World Trade Organization (WTO) bilateral agreement as an opportunity for even greater economic cooperation and further U.S. investment in Russia.

The Ambassador met with students, faculty and alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchange programs at the Kabardino-Balkarskiy State University. The Ambassador complemented them on their academic achievements and expressed his gratitude for their efforts to foster mutual understanding between Russia and the United States.

While visiting Vladikavkaz, Ambassador Burns met with Taymuraz Dzambekovich Mamsurov, Head of the Republic of North Ossetiya. They discussed opportunities for U.S. investment in the region, and North Ossetiya's future plans for the development the regional economy.

Ambassador Burns attended a meeting with the heads of various United Nations organizations and other non-governmental organizations in Vladikavkaz, including the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, United Nations Development Program, World Food Program, United Nations Department of Safety and Security, United Nations Children Fund, Food and Agricultural Organization, and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The Ambassador noted that the International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations which promote civil society and stability are essential to the development of the North Caucasus.

In Beslan, Ambassador Burns laid a wreath at the Tree of Mourning in memory of the School Number One's 334 hostages, including 186 school children, who were killed after they were taken hostage for three days by terrorists. The Ambassador underscored the United States' strong condemnation of this tragic event, and emphasized that the United States and Russia share a common determination to fight terrorism.