Re: [A-List] US imperialism: managing Russia

["Tariq Mahmood" <zaogir@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mullah Naseer-u-din a legendry chracter of Turkish lore was once asleep at
home when he heard great commotion down in the street.
    His wife persuaded him to go out and find out what is the reason. Mullah
wrapping his blanket to save himself from the chil outside went down.
    In the street he found two thieves fighting over division of their loot.
On noticing the costly blanket Naseer ud-din was wearing one thief grabbed
it and both fled.
    When questioned for the cause for noise outside Naseer replied I
persumed they were quarreling for my blanket, for no soon they got it the
quarrel ended.

So was probably the noise in the UNSC about war on Iraq for the blankets of
the great powers. Once they get them there will be no noise.

Tariq
----------------
"Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx> wrote:

 Powell strikes deal with Russia on debt

 Nick Paton Walsh in Moscow
 Friday May 16, 2003
 The Guardian

 Colin Powell gave clear assurances yesterday that the new government of
Iraq would repay its $7bn Soviet-era debt to Russia.

 The US secretary of state's commitment on the issue, which has become a big
sticking point for Moscow, may bring agreement on a new UN resolution for
Iraq a step closer.

 His comments came on the day that Russia's deputy foreign minister, Georgy
Mamedov, said the issue was discussed at Mr Powell's recent meeting with
President Vladimir Putin.

 Mr Mamedow said "very heated discussions" were going on in New York, but
the matter would be resolved.

Russia, which refused to endorse the coalition war against Iraq, said last
month it would oppose any attempt to lift UN sanctions before weapons
inspectors had returned to Iraq to verify it had been disarmed.

 Mr Powell had, hours before Mr Mamedov's remarks, said that, while the
question of debt was not discussed during his visit, "we will try to find an
approach on how to best solve this problem in some way, perhaps by extending
the period in which the debt will be cleared, or maybe refinancing it, or
perhaps something else".

 He added: "I've no doubts the new government will completely take into
consideration its obligations towards Russia."

 He also said that the US would consider suspending sanctions rather than
lifting them.

 Russia's financial concessions in Iraq, which include its national debt and
a multi-billion dollar oil contract, have hampered negotiations at the UN.