#3
Tough US stance helped soften Iraqi position - hence justified, says Putin
Source: ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian 2103 gmt 12 Feb 03

Bordeaux (southwest France), 12 February: Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the tough US stance has helped to soften Iraq's position, Putin said at a meeting with representatives of the French local and regional press.

According to the head of the Russian state, "without the US tough position, the present level of cooperation on the part of Iraq would not have been possible". Putin believes that "this tough position is therefore justified".

Replying to French journalists' questions, the Russian president said that "the Americans may save their face by not launching military action". Their tough position "is also a strong element of pressure", Putin said. "We are using diplomatic methods and the USA is using other methods," he stressed.

According to the Russian president, "one should not cross the line and start a war unless all the diplomatic and political methods have been exhausted". Putin is convinced that "so far that has not happened".

"The main aim of the USA, as well as Russia, is not saving one's own face but receiving an answer as to whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction and, if the answer is positive, taking appropriate measures," the Russian president said.

BACK TO THE TOP    #244 CONTENTS    NEXT ARTICLE