In the statement, Boris Yeltsin acknowledges that there are specific nations which are either directly or indirectly supporting terrorist activities through their territories. He expresses his intention to address these countries' leaders personally and demand an end to such support.
Beyond its surface meaning, this quote underscores a broader issue of international complicity in acts of terror. It highlights the complex web of geopolitical relationships where some governments might tacitly endorse terrorism for strategic gains or leverage against adversaries. Yeltsin's statement also reflects the responsibility that world leaders bear when their actions or inactions contribute to global instability and security threats. By making such a public declaration, he is setting forth a moral imperative for international cooperation in combating terrorism.
Boris Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999. Known for his role in ending the Soviet Union and transitioning Russia towards democracy and market economics, his leadership during a critical period of global geopolitics makes his statements on counter-terrorism particularly noteworthy.