PRESS RELEASE

Alexander Yakovenko, the Official Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Question from Russian Media Regarding Arms Supplies to Iraq from Bosnia and Herzegovina

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

November 4, 2002

Question: Could you comment on the situation with regard to the supplies to Iraq of spare parts from the Orao aircraft plant in the Republika Srpska, BiH, through Yugoslavia in circumvention of the embargo of the UN Security Council?

Answer: We have been closely following the developments in the situation. Any actions in violation of existing UN Security Council resolutions arouse concern in Russia. We are for an immediate and proper investigation to be carried out and measures taken to prevent such activities in the future.

Judging by incoming reports, the necessary steps are already being taken in Yugoslavia, in the Republika Srpska, BiH, and by central Bosnian authorities.

We proceed from the assumption that ascertaining the circumstance in this particular matter will not become a pretext for an "exemplary" punishment of Belgrade, and then too of the Bosnian Serbs, and for increasing the political pressure on the leaderships of Yugoslavia and the Republika Srpska. This would have negative consequences, including in the context of the post-election situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the state of affairs in the FRY and Serbia.