#8
BBC Monitoring
Russia not looking to confront USA over Iraq, says senior MP
Source: Ekho Moskvy radio, Moscow, in Russian 1108 gmt 20 Feb 03

The Russian leadership has done nothing to excite anti-American sentiments over Iraq, Chairman of the Russian State Duma international affairs committee Dmitriy Rogozin has said.

In an live interview with Russian Ekho Moskvy radio focusing on the Iraq situation, Rogozin said that Russian interests include the need to preserve the current system of international law which the UN Security Council's activities constitute. Only the UN Security Council has the right to make a decision regarding the use of force against Iraq.

Rogozin went on to say that "Unlike France or Germany, no-one in the Russian leadership has done anything to excite anti-American sentiments in any way. We do not need it for one simple reason - we either cooperate with America, a great military, economic and political power, and try to influence them through cooperation, or we quarrel and leave the USA alone with its own ambitions and interests."

"It is a wise policy, when you know that your interests do not coincide and your partner is doing something that is clearly out of the common context, but you have got to influence, you have got to preserve the possibility of bilateral contacts, which is what Russia is doing", Rogozin said.

Asked if Russia would participate in talks on a postwar settlement in Iraq, should a US-led attack go ahead, Rogozin said: "Attempts to speculate on whether Russia would take part in a postwar settlement on Iraqi territory presume that it is absolutely predetermined that there is going to be a war. This is not right." He explained: "I am saying that taking part in talks with the Americans on this would not be right, it would be a big political mistake."

Rogozin was challenged by the interviewer, Sergey Venediktov: "Come on, Dmitriy, you have said yourself that there have been talks and that the Americans have taken on responsibility for ensuring that the next, post-Saddam, regime should somehow recognize its 8bn [currency not given] debt to Russia. We did not take part in these talks, so nor did the interests of our oil companies feature in these talks. This is regardless of whether it is a question of Saddam being there or not."

Rogozin replied: "Naturally, we are analysing all the diverse options in this situation. Whether we get involved in talks on this with our partners or allies or opponents, as they are variously called, or not, is another matter. I can say this: The Russian Federation definitely has a categorical interest not only in retaining its interests in this zone, but in extending them. As for what shape this would take, I believe that at the moment this is the shape that the Russian Federation has now: Defending the political opportunity, the chance, perhaps the last chance, of reaching a political solution to the Iraq problem. That's it.

"As for the rest, that's not for public comment. But, of course, I am totally convinced, I know that at all levels in our structures, we are considering all the options. You know that yesterday there was a statement from the first deputy head of the General Staff, Yuriy Nikolayevich Baluyevskiy. Judging by all accounts, statements like this are not put out for nothing. Clearly, our General Staff is considering the widest possible range of options, not to mention our economic departments and political structures. That is perfectly clear.

"Once again, I would say it is a different matter to divide up the pie and say that's it, Iraq is doomed, whatever it might say, however much it might try to cooperate with the international community, that's it, boys, sorry, we've divided up your pie, that's what you get. That must not happen. It is not right."

Asked if he believes the USA will strike this spring, Rogozin said: "Well, I would put it like this. As yet, I do not believe that all is already lost, I don't yet think so. I feel that we will know once we know what kind of text the Anglo-Americans put forward."

The interviewer reminded Rogozin of the French government suggestion that armed peacemakers be sent into Iraq, to protect the inspectors and take control of premises that could be producing prohibited weapons and asked if Russian forces could form part of this contingent. Rogozin said: "You're asking for something I can't comment on. However, I believe that, firstly, this idea has not yet been thought through to the end, it is possible that it may emerge as part of the French position, it may appear on the initiative of our British and American colleagues in some draft resolution from them. I would say that the French may have an independent stance on this issue.

"I have to say this looks doubtful. Firstly, who would give this kind of peacemaking force the right to enter Iraq and secondly, would these peacemakers really be able to secure the complete disarmament of Iraq and rid us of any trace or fear of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction, since we know that peacemakers, as a rule, avoid conflict. I could name a whole list of countries where peacemakers have avoided all kinds of bullets and unpleasantness in the wider interest. I don't know how effective this would be. But if this could be the step which would enable us to prevent military action, it is worth looking at. But I will say once again, for the time being we are talking hypothetically. France has not put forward a formal position on this."

On Russian involvement, Rogozin went on to say: "I don't think Russian members of parliament are going to vote with great enthusiasm for putting even peacemakers into other regions. But I will say over again, it needs to be studied carefully. At the moment we are just fantasizing. In any event, politicians have to discuss real documents put on the table, not hypotheses or intentions."

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