Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to take note of and welcome the report that was submitted yesterday by the Ammunition Experts Group that was established by the OSCE Mission in Moldova.

This report made what I believe is a very important conclusion -- and that is that if the start is made soon, it is indeed possible to complete the disposal or withdrawal of all 42,000 tons of stored Russian munitions in Moldova by the Istanbul deadline of 31 December 2002.

It is also very pleasing to note that the Russian Federation fully endorsed this conclusion.

In order for this work to go forward, there are still major hurdles that must be cleared related to verification and accountability. While this is a technical document, it speaks to a commitment of great political importance to all of us around that room.

That commitment is Russia's to meet, but it is important that we all stand ready and willing to provide significant help. I would encourage all of the governments represented around this table to examine carefully this report and the goals it is designed to achieve.

The task that it lays out has a sizeable cost, and I would also, therefore, encourage all of us to urge our governments to contribute generously to the OSCE Voluntary Fund to help support Russia's timely completion of this very important commitment.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.