[A-List] US/Russia tensions: Iraq

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Some nice mealy-mouthing by Tony further down...


Russia relaxes its stance on Iraq but warns the US
By Mary Dejevsky in Moscow and Nigel Morris
The Independent, 10 October 2002

Russia is steadfastly opposed to a US-led assault on Iraq, insisting that
United Nations inspectors and political negotiation remain the solution. But
on the eve of Tony Blair's arrival in Moscow, Russian officials suggested
for the first time that President Vladimir Putin could be open to the
possibility of a new UN Security Council resolution, if there was no
automatic trigger for military action and Russia's economic interests were
taken fully into account.

In remarks clearly approved at the highest level, President Putin's
spokesman, Sergei Yastrzhemsky, said Iraq would be a "key issue" in the
talks with the Prime Minister, and that Russia hoped Mr Blair's "privileged
position with the White House will produce some answers" about US
intentions.

Conceding that initial objections had been dropped to a new UN Security
Council resolution, he said Russia could accept a "consensus" resolution to
"increase pressure on Baghdad and strengthen the international inspection
regime". But he also made clear Russia harboured deep suspicion of
Washington's motives. "We have no evidence that the goal of a war against
Iraq is not to destabilise the international oil market," he said.

Before the talks today and tomorrow, Mr Blair insisted the objections to a
new UN resolution could be overcome, saying both countries had a common
interest in removing chemical, biological and "potentially nuclear" weapons
from Iraq. Mr Yastrzhemsky said Russia's position on Iraq could not be
detached from its economic interests there. He warned that Russia's social
stability could be jeopardised by a sharp fall in oil prices. Moscow's
interests in Iraq include oil concessions which Russia wanted to develop and
machine-building contracts, under which Baghdad owed Russia between $8bn and
$10bn.

Mr Blair admitted Russia had "concerns of a commercial and financial nature"
over Iraq, but added: "I think the main preoccupation of Russia ... has been
to make sure that whatever takes place, takes place with the fullest support
of the international community, and that's our concern as well."

He told the BBC World Service there was "no truth" in suggestions that
Britain could turn a blind eye to Russian conduct in Chechnya in return for
Moscow's support for US and British-led action in Iraq. But he added:
"People should never forget Russia itself has been the victim of terrorism -
terrorism coming from extremists operating out of Chechnya - and that the
territorial integrity of Russia should be respected."

In Tehran, Jack Straw was told that the focus by Washington and London on a
possible war on Saddam Hussein had meant neglect of the Israel-Palestinian
problem, and led to a "deep hatred" of America. Iran rejected the Foreign
Secretary's attempts to seek support for a tough UN resolution.