#1 - RW 268
Moscow Times
August8, 2003
Ivanov Calls for UN Iraq Resolution
By Anna Dolgov
Special to The Moscow Times

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Thursday called for a new UN resolution on Iraq that would speed up election of a sovereign Iraqi government and would recognize the U.S.-appointed Governing Council as an interim ruling body.

A new resolution by the UN Security Council would help clear the way to a political settlement in the country, Ivanov said.

"Within the framework of this process, it would be possible to recognize the temporary Governing Council as a temporary organ of authority, which jointly with the United Nations should ensure the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of democratic elections within an agreed timeframe," Ivanov said in comments posted on the Foreign Ministry's web site.

"The sooner such a resolution by the UN Security Council is adopted, the more chance the international community will have in overcoming the current heavy crisis that Iraq is going though," Ivanov said.

The United States has been seeking UN approval for the 24-member Governing Council, and Russia's promotion of a new resolution may help strengthen the drive. But at the same time, Russia has long pushed for the United Nations to eventually replace the United States as the leading foreign player in Iraq, and its proposed resolution seems aimed at achieving that.

Ivanov's appeal, which backed a similar call made by France earlier this week, came as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns was holding talks in Moscow on the situation in Iraq and on other Middle East issues.

Burns refused to predict whether Washington would support or object to Ivanov's proposal, but stressed that the United States and Russia would continue to work closely on "ways in which we can further strengthen the Governing Council and take the whole process forward."

Russia, along with France and Germany, has reportedly contemplated sending peacekeepers to Iraq if the United Nations is given a bigger role there. But while Washington is likely to welcome a more international force, it is unclear whether it would be willing to yield some of its influence to the United Nations.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov said his boss's proposal had come up during the talks with Burns, and that Russia and the United States "have a lot of room for mutual understanding on this issue."

The two countries "agree that we need to build up efforts aimed at settling the situation in Iraq and restoring that country," Fedotov told reporters at a joint news conference with Burns at the close of the two-day talks.

Fedotov praised the creation of the interim Governing Council as "an important, positive step forward," but also stressed the need to move forward toward the creation of a "genuine, legitimate government."

Burns said that Russia and the United States share a commitment "to a stable, prosperous Iraq, an Iraq in which Iraqis regain control of their own destiny and establish a sovereign government as quickly as possible."

Russia had strongly objected to the U.S.-led military campaign in Iraq, but has since tried to restore closer relations with Washington and has backed the U.S. position on some other Middle East issues.

Moscow shares U.S. opposition to Israel's construction of a security fence through the West Bank in an attempt to keep out Palestinian suicide bombers. U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell have criticized the project, saying it would undermine the U.S.-backed "road map" toward a peace settlement, and Washington is reported to be considering cutting loans to Israel over the dispute.

"We will continue to press those concerns in our conversations with the Israelis," Burns said.

Russia shares the view that the construction of the fence may lead to "serious complications," Fedotov said.

"We believe that all efforts should be taken to resolve this question so that it does not create problems for the implementation of the road map," he said.

Along with the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations form a so-called international quartet for the implementation of the road map, which envisages a Palestinian state by 2005.

Burns and Russian officials also discussed joint efforts to fight "the universal evil of international terrorism" and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, said Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov, who also attended the news conference.

"The depth and the value of those conversations is a reflection of the key role that Russia plays in all of these issues," Burns said.

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