INTERVIEW WITH IGOR IVANOV
RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

March 27, 2003

Question: Clearly relations between Russia and the US are now extremely strained. To what extent can the question of Iraq affect their further development?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: First of all I want to say that Russia is interested in maintaining partner, predictable relations with the US, for this is our strategic choice. I think that the same choice has also been made in Washington. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George W. Bush have spoken of this more than once. Within the framework of partner relations differences may arise, including serious ones, as now around Iraq. Yet we hope that, by relying upon partner relations, we shall be able by joint efforts to overcome this not simple period and act further by joint efforts for international peace and stability.

Question: The US claims it has evidences of Russia's supplies of banned types of weapons to Iraq. Can you confirm that?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: In the last few months the American side has repeatedly raised this question before us, including in my conversations with US Secretary of State Colin Powell. This question was also reported to Russian President Putin. On the President's instruction, our competent bodies seriously examined the documents submitted by the American side. They found no confirmation. Yesterday we received additional information from the US. It is now being carefully studied. I can assure you that no military equipment whatsoever was supplied to Iraq by Russia in violation of the existing sanctions regime. If it is revealed that somebody violated that regime, against these persons or entities the sternest measures will be applied in accordance with our legislation. But as of now we have no factors confirming that.

Question: Is Russia really sure that the possibilities for a political resolution of the situation around Iraq have not yet been exhausted? What will Russia's further steps be in this matter?

Foreign Minister Ivanov: When President Putin referred to the war in Iraq as a big mistake, he thought not only of Russia, but also of the US. Today we see that the war is bringing casualties both among the Iraqi population and among US and British servicemen. This war could have been avoided. There was the path of political settlement. Even now we consider that the more quickly we will halt this war and the more quickly we will sit down at the negotiating table in the UN Security Council, the more quickly we will be able to solve the problems of concern to both Moscow and Washington and the international community. We, like Washington, are interested that there would be no WMDs in Iraq and that this region would be stable. We are confident that this can be achieved if we act together by political means.