PRESS RELEASE

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov Interview to Pervy Kanal (Channel One) Television Company

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

October 17, 2002

Question: Igor Sergeyevich, a debate on Iraq is going on in the UN Security Council at present. Up until recently the position of Moscow was not to have any new resolutions adopted on the subject. How do matters stand now?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: It is not a question of the number of resolutions, but what are the aim and content of that document. If the resolution is to secure the efficient work of inspectors and to achieve the objective which has been set by the relevant previous resolutions - notably, to deal with questions relating to weapons of mass destruction in Iraq - then that document will become the subject of a serious consideration. If, however, attempts are made to submit a resolution whose aim is to establish a legal basis for force-based scenarios, then it will not meet the interests of resolving the situation around Iraq.

Consultations are being held in the Security Council of the United Nations at present. So far no draft resolution has been submitted in the UNSC. I repeat, we are in the stage of consultations.

Once again I want to stress that from the formal and legal point of view UN inspectors can leave for the performance of their mission without any resolution: there is no need for this. But if it is required to enhance and bolster their work, then we are prepared to consider that option.