Regarding US, British Air Raids Against Iraqi Territory

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

October 4, 2002

Moscow is again expressing concern over the now more frequent US and British air raids against Iraqi territory. In the last two days the Anglo-US air forces dealt a series of missile-bomb strikes in the areas of the southern Iraqi towns of Kut and Nasirya, killing five and wounding fourteen civilians and destroying a number of civilian targets.

We believe actions against Iraq inadmissible that violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the necessity of respect for which is confirmed in the appropriate resolutions of the UN Security Council.

In the current situation efforts should be concentrated on facilitating the early restoration of Iraqi cooperation with UN inspectors to advance towards a settlement of the Iraqi problem, primarily the solution of questions linked with the concern of the world community regarding Iraq's proscribed weapons programs.