Moscow on Iraq's statement to cooperate with the UN on basis of Security Council resolution

Moscow welcomes Baghdad's statement that Iraq admits possible cooperation with the United Nations within the framework of the Security Council resolution.

Commenting on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's statements about the possibility of cooperation with the United Nations within the framework of the Security Council resolution, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko said that "such approach of the Iraqi authorities can be applauded." Moscow believes that it is "another evidence of Baghdad's readiness to interact with the international community for the purpose of clarifying the issues related to Iraq's unauthorized military programs." "To meet this purpose UN and IAEA inspectors must resume their monitoring work in Iraq as soon as possible," Yakovenko said.

"If some of the Security Council members find it necessary to pass a new resolution to provide for the return of international weapons inspectors, Russia is ready to continue discussions on the final and mutually acceptable wording," he stressed.

At the same time the Russian Foreign Ministry Official said that "Russia continues to believe that a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraq must be as clear-cut as possible, realistic, accomplishable and devoid of statements authorizing the automatic use of force against Baghdad."