Russian MFA: Ivanov on Potential US Military Action Against Iraq

Anchor: Igor Sergeyevich, do you think that the United States will go ahead with a military operation against Iraq without the sanction of the United Nations?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: Today Russia, like an overwhelming majority of other states, is exerting vigorous efforts to secure the return of international inspectors to Iraq, who can answer whether or not Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. No military actions can provide an answer to this question. So we hope that Washington will heed what is the opinion of an overwhelming majority of states, and we will act in concert.

Anchor: If the United States goes ahead with military operation in Iraq, what will be the position of Russia on the issue?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: The military action cannot resolve the task that has been set by the UN Security Council. It could merely complicate the already difficult situation in the Middle East and in the Persian Gulf. And most important, it could impede interaction within the anti-terrorist coalition which has now been formed. It has quite rightly been noted that the fight against terrorism is the main task facing the international community and it is very important that the unity within the coalition should be preserved. So, we hope that the United States will act strictly in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

Anchor: Before the opening of the UN General Assembly session, consultations with the American side were held. Do you have a feeling that the Americans will heed the voicez of the world community? Or will they, like in the case of Yugoslavia, go ahead regardless without paying any attention to the world public opinion?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: President Bush will address the General Assembly on September 12 and the US administration has stressed more than once that the United Nations plays the key role in the international efforts to combat terrorism. We share that position and believe that the UN should continue to be the main link in solving the acute problems faced by the international community, chief among which is the fight against terrorism.

Anchor: Will the Russian delegation raise the issue of the terrorists who are in the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia? It was reported some time ago that a certain link exists between terrorists in Georgia and the terrorist acts in the US.

Foreign Minister Ivanov: The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions demanding from each state not only to fight terrorism, but to prevent terrorist actions launched from their territories. That fully applies to Georgia. It is the duty of Georgia -- not just a wish on somebody's part -- it is the duty of Georgia to fight terrorism and to prevent terrorist actions with regard to other states, in this case with regard to Russia. Unfortunately, Georgia is not meeting its obligations and we are entitled to demand strict compliance with the obligations Georgia has assumed under the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.