Concerning the Aggravation of the Situation Around the Republic of Iraq - The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Is Watching with Deep Concern the Development of Events Around the Republic of Iraq and the Dangerous Buildup of the US Military Presence in the Persian Gulf Area

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

January 30, 2003

The Deputies of the State Duma note with satisfaction that the Government of the Republic of Iraq has been scrupulously fulfilling the requirements of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002). Within the prescribed time the Republic of Iraq submitted to the UN Security Council a report with a detailed account of its programs for the development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, as well as delivery systems for such weapons, and has provided immediate, unobstructed, unconditional and unlimited access for the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission to any sites on the territory of Iraq. The Government of the Republic of Iraq has handed over to the United Nations the list of Iraqi scientists who were engaged in the problems relating to the creation of weapons of mass destruction.

The other provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002) are also being strictly complied with. Hundreds of sites have already been inspected. The UN inspectors have discovered no evidences of the existence in Iraq of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or an intention to create such weapons. The preliminary evaluations show that Iraq has fulfilled its obligations on the liquidation of weapons of mass destruction. As is known, UN Security Council Resolution 687 (1991) envisages that after the fulfillment by the Republic of Iraq of all the disarmament requirements, the sanctions against this state, which have become the cause of the heavy suffering of millions of its citizens, should be lifted.

The State Duma expresses hope that the Republic of Iraq will continue its constructive cooperation with the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, fully comply with the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002) and in the future adhere to the policy of nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The State Duma notes with concern, however, that, in spite of the positive cooperation by the Republic of Iraq with the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, the USA, without waiting for the results of the commission's work and the assessment of this work by the UN Security Council, is carrying out preparations for a military operation the aim of which is an armed invasion of the Republic of Iraq for a forcible change of the leadership there. The United States of America has repeatedly declared that that invasion will be carried out even unilaterally, without an appropriate mandate from the United Nations Security Council. Already the specific dates for a strike at this Arab state are being mentioned.

Despite the absence of any evidences of the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the preparedness of Iraq to strictly comply with UN demands the United States of America, evidently, intends under cover of UN decisions to seek the achievement of its own geopolitical aims in the Middle East region.

The actions by the USA can be regarded as preparations for an armed aggression against one of the member states of the UN, which is in flagrant contradiction to the Charter of the UN, and leads to an undermining of the authority of the United Nations and its Security Council, a destabilization of the situation in the world and the growth of the threat of international terrorism.

The prevailing situation is causing the legitimate concern in many states of the world, including the states of Western Europe. The states of the Middle East express particular concern. A change of political regime in one of the Arab states by way of foreign direct military intervention will create a dangerous precedent, inadmissible in the 21st century. This step will inevitably lead to a breakdown of the entire system of international relations. The implications of such a development of events, including for the national interests of Russia, are hard to predict.

The State Duma addresses an appeal to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Government of the Russian Federation to take immediately all the possible measures, including within the UN Security Council, to prevent military action by the United States of America against Iraq.

The State Duma considers necessary the coordination of joint actions by the Russian Federation and the European and Middle Eastern states with a view to the search of political means helping prevent a new war in the Middle East.