#6
Russian security chief says Iraqi problem still allows
political solution
ITAR-TASS
Moscow, 6 February: Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushaylo is
certain that a political solution of the Iraqi problem is still possible.
"The political and diplomatic resource has not been exhausted yet and
international inspectors should continue their work in Iraq," Rushaylo told
journalists in Yekaterinburg [Siberia]. He believes the inspectors must present
a more objective report to the UN Security Council.
Rushaylo recalled that President Vladimir Putin clearly outlined Moscow's
position in a telephone conversation with the US President George W. Bush on 4
February. Among other things Putin emphasized the role of international
inspectors in deciding further steps in Iraq.
The State Duma on Thursday [6 February] made a decision to consider on 12
February a draft resolution on the situation involving Iraq, First Deputy
Speaker Lyubov Sliska told reporters. The idea was proposed by Deputy Speaker
Vladimir Zhirinovskiy. The proposed draft resolution envisages the adoption of a
message to the Russian president to instruct Russia's representative in the
United Nations to use the right of veto in case of military aggression against
Iraq.
The chairman of the Duma international affairs committee Dmitriy Rogozin
explained that the Duma could make any resolutions or statements concerning Iraq
only after the lawmakers received the full information from Foreign Minister
Igor Ivanov. He believes US Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement in the
UN Security Council has produced more questions than answers.
"United States accusations require experts' scrutiny. Some of the
charges look incredible, so there can be no immediate response," he said.
Rogozin believes Powell "overdid it" when he said Iraq had
tremendous amounts of chemical and biological weapons.
"Russia is reluctant to find itself in opposition to the United States.
It wants antiterrorist policies to continue. We advise the United States against
taking hasty steps. International inspectors in Iraq should keep working,"
Rogozin said.
BACK TO THE TOP  #243 CONTENTS NEXT ARTICLE
|
