Russian lawmaker on Iraq's debts to Russia

Writing off Iraq's debt to Russia is connected with Russia's involvement in the restoration of this country, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma's Legislation Committee Valery Vorotnikov said in an interview with RBC. "The only possible way of talking about writing off debts is if Russia's role in both economic and political spheres of Iraq will be substantial," the deputy added. "If the USA de-facto puts Russia aside in the process of determining Iraq's future, we need to be tough about writing off the debts. We are not that rich to help the USA by writing off debts," the lawmaker emphasized. Summing all up, Vorotnikov stressed: "It would be good for us to take a more active position in the post-war rebuilding of Iraq."