Russia to Resume Grain Deliveries to Iraq?

Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev thinks Russia may soon resume grain deliveries to Iraq-at least, that is what he told journalists in St. Petersburg, where he is currently on a working trip.

Russia used to be Iraq's No One wheat supplier. The grain deliveries were part of a United Nations' program called Oil in Exchange for Food. In all, according to an agreement signed about four years ago, Russia was to supply Iraq with 500,000 tons of wheat, of which it actually supplied about 100,000.

The deliveries were suspended with the beginning of military action, said Gordeyev. He added that if the United States' system of food supplies remained the same, Russia would resume its grain deliveries and once again become an active participant in the UN program.