Over 3,500 Russians Want to Fight for Iraq

The Iraqi Embassy in Russia has received over 3,500 applications from Russians for Iraqi visas. This was announced today at a press conference by Iraqi Ambassador to Russia Abbas Khalaf. He said that 'these Russian citizens want to fight for Iraq.' Khalal claims that all the Russians who have made an application 'can count on receiving a visa as soon as we receive the order.'

However, the ambassador stressed that the Iraqi people 'do not need help from volunteers and are capable of defending themselves.' 'We are not an enlisting office, we need voices of support,' said Khalaf. He also announced that Iraq's diplomatic office in Russia was receiving 'a mass of telephone calls from ordinary people expressing their support and sympathy.' Khalaf stressed that Iraq is supported by 'millions of people around the world.' The ambassador said that the 20 participants in the 'Peace March' organised by British supporters of a peaceful solution to the US-Iraqi conflict had 'already received symbolic visas.'