Igor Ivanov: Moscow has no information on a Washington secret plan concerning Iraq

Moscow has no information on a secret plan of Washington regarding Iraq, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Monday told a joint press conference with his French analogue Dominique de Villepin.

In a comment on media reports about a secret plan of Washington to begin a military operation in Iraq, Igor Ivanov said: "No negotiations on this theme are being held with Washington".

The Russian chief diplomat recalled that the position of Russia concerning Iraq is as before: the only way to resolve the Iraqi problem is through political settlement. In addition, everything must be done for the relative United Nations resolutions eventually to end up with the cancelling of sanctions against Iraq, believes Igor Ivanov.