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Russian Official Statements on a Unilateral War on Iraq, Disarmament and Inspections * Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov * Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov * Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Gennady Gatilov * Russian Parliament *********************************** Source: Security Council, 4688th meeting, S/PV.4688, provisional verbatim transcript Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, statement to Security Council meeting on “Combating Terrorism”, 20 January 2003 [begin] The multidimensional strategy to combat international terrorism, developed under United Nations auspices and defined in Security Council resolutions, has already proved its effectiveness. That took place when an extremely dangerous hotbed of terrorism in Afghanistan was virtually eliminated through a joint effort. That development should be further strengthened. A successful outcome will depend largely on preserving the unity of a broad anti-terrorist coalition, which must continue to be based on the solid foundation of the Charter of the United Nations and on international law. We must be careful not to take unilateral steps that might threaten the unity of the anti-terrorist coalition. In that context, we favour a political settlement of the situation concerning Iraq, in strict conformity with relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1441 (2002), which the Council adopted unanimously. [end] [begin] It is also alarming that terrorists are seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction. We cannot allow such a catastrophe to take place. The non-proliferation regimes for such weapons should be further strengthened. [end] *********************************** Source: ITAR-TASS News Agency, “There are Still Chances to Settle Iraq Situation - Igor Ivanov”, 20 January 2003 Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, press encounter (UN headquarters), 20 January 2003 [begin] Much important work has been done in the past two months...The tasks set before the inspectors necessitate the continuation of their efforts...From our point of view, the political and diplomatic chances to normalize the situation are far from exhausted. Unanimous approval of resolution 1441 by the U.N. Security Council has shown that the world community is aware of the need to settle the Iraq issue by political means. The inspectors must be given a chance to discharge their mission. [end] *********************************** Source: Dafna Linzer, “U.S. Poised for Military Action in Iraq, Allies Say There’s No Justification Now for War, Associated Press, 21 January 2003 Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Gennady Gatilov [begin] The real situation shows that inspections are going on and so the [1441] resolution is being implemented...There are some problems which are solvable and yesterday the Iraqis expressed their goodwill for further cooperation with the inspectors. I think the sense of the council is that the majority is against military action. [end] *********************************** Source: Mara D. Bellaby, “Ivanov Reiterates that only U.N. Security Council Can Authorize Use of Force against Iraq’, Associated Press, 22 January 2003 Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov [begin] A decision to use force is only for the U.N. Security Council to make. [end] *********************************** Source: Mara D. Bellaby, “Ivanov Reiterates that only U.N. Security Council Can Authorize Use of Force against Iraq’, Associated Press, 22 January 2003 [begin] Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, overwhelming approved a statement calling on the Kremlin to take all possible steps to prevent unilateral U.S. military action against Iraq. The measure passed 229-1. The Duma said that in spite of Iraq’s “positive cooperation” with the United Nation’s two-month-old monitoring program, “the United States is not waiting for the results of the commission’s work or the U.N. Security Council’s assessment but is leading preparations for a military operation, the aim of which is an armed invasion of Iraq to change the country’s leadership by force.” The lawmakers said Washington appeared ready to pursue “its own geopolitical aims under the cover of U.N. resolutions.” Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, overwhelming approved a statement calling on the Kremlin to take all possible steps to prevent unilateral U.S. military action against Iraq. The measure passed 229-1. The Duma said that in spite of Iraq's "positive cooperation" with the United Nation's two-month-old monitoring program, "the United States is not waiting for the results of the commission's work or the U.N. Security Council's assessment but is leading preparations for a military operation, the aim of which is an armed invasion of Iraq to change the country's leadership by force." The lawmakers said Washington appeared ready to pursue “its own geopolitical aims under the cover of U.N. resolutions.” Russian officials have long urged Washington to avoid acting alone, saying it would throw the international anti-terrorist coalition into disarray. The Duma warned that U.S. action to “change the political regime in one of the Arab states through direct foreign military interference would set the most dangerous precedent, which is unacceptable in the 21st century.” “That step would undoubtedly lead to the breakdown of all systems of international relations,” the statement said. [end] *********************************** Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur, “Kremlin Walks a Tightrope in Iraq Crisis”, 22 January 2003 Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov [begin] We will not support unilateral military action against Iraq. [end] *********************************** Source: Reuters, “Russia Says No Grounds for Force Against Iraq”, 23 January 2003, http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=2096001 Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, press encounter at meeting with European Union ministers, 23 January 2003 [begin] "Russia believes that there are no grounds at the moment to use military force against Iraq...There is still political and diplomatic leeway to resolve the Iraq issue...The efforts of the international community must be directed now at helping international inspectors perform their mission...This is the direction we intend to pursue, among others, along with the European Union. [end] *********************************** Nathaniel Hurd Consultant on United Nations Iraq policy Tel. (Mobile): 917-407-3389 Fax: 718-504-4224 Residential Address: 90 7th Ave. Apt. #6 Brooklyn, NY 11217 _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk