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Tuesday, 03 September 2002
IRAQ SEEKS RUSSIA'S POLITICAL SUPPORT
By empty (9/3/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri arrived in Moscow on 2 September seeking Russian diplomatic and political backing. Sabri did not discuss a proposed long-term trade agreement between Moscow and Baghdad that is believed to be worth $40 billion. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told journalists after his talks with Sabri that Russia will insist that Iraq allow UN weapons inspectors to resume their work as part of any resolution of the situation.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri arrived in Moscow on 2 September seeking Russian diplomatic and political backing. Sabri did not discuss a proposed long-term trade agreement between Moscow and Baghdad that is believed to be worth $40 billion. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told journalists after his talks with Sabri that Russia will insist that Iraq allow UN weapons inspectors to resume their work as part of any resolution of the situation. Ivanov reiterated Moscow's opposition to U.S. military intervention in Iraq, saying it would only exacerbate the situation in the Middle East. (RFE/RL)