STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Regarding the Consent by Iraq's Leadership to the Deployment in the Country of UN Inspectors' Activity Related to Monitoring the Non-Resumption of Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

September 17, 2002

Moscow regards with satisfaction the consent by Iraq's leadership to the deployment of UN inspectors' activity in the country related to monitoring the non-resumption of Iraqi programs in the field of weapons of mass destruction.

Russia had consistently been seeking to restore Iraq-UN cooperation in strict accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions. The early start of inspection activities in Iraq will constitute an important first step towards the Russia-promoted comprehensive settlement of the Iraqi problem with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. This will open the way for the lifting of sanctions on Iraq.

It is important that at this stage in the consideration of the Iraqi question there has appeared a real chance of solving it by political methods. Russia will resolutely try to ensure that this chance is not missed.