PRESS RELEASE

Alexander Yakovenko, the Official Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Question from Russian Media Regarding Adoption by US Congress of Resolution on Iraq

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

October 11, 2002

Question: How could you comment on the adoption by the US Congress of a resolution which allows President George W. Bush to use force against Iraq?

Answer: We closely followed the debate in the US Congress on the Iraqi resolution. Even though the draft Iraqi resolution which the Bush Administration had advanced was adopted, the discussion itself and the voting results have shown that in the US political establishment there is no unity as to automatic use of force to deal with the "Iraqi problem."

This once again confirms the substantiated character of our principled line in this matter. We have repeatedly emphasized at various levels that the politico-diplomatic resource of settlement of the "Iraqi question" is far from exhausted, and we have consistently advocated and continue to advocate the achievement of a solution by political methods exactly, based on a full and strict implementation of all the UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq. It is necessary to ensure the expeditious return of international inspectors to Iraq and the quickest possible deployment of UN inspection and monitoring activity in the country, which will give a possibility to receive an answer to the questions the world community has about Iraqi WMD programs. In this direction we are ready to work with our partners, including in the UN Security Council.