Moscow, Havana, Insist Iraq Settlement Should Come Under UN Auspices

Moscow and Havana insist that the Iraq settlement be brought back within the UN framework, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported in the wake of the Russian-Cuban foreign ministries' consultations just terminated in Havana.

As the source noted, "both sides ascertained the congruence of the two nations' positions on the formation of a new world order on the basis of strengthening peace and security and the co-ordinating role of the UN." This applies to the maintenance of peace and security, prevention and settlement of regional conflicts, preventive diplomacy and peace-making efforts.

The participants pointed to the importance of co-ordinated bilateral and multilateral efforts to counter new-generation threats and challenges, primarily the fight against international terrorism.

The bilateral consultations also included an exchange of opinion on the outcome of the UN Human Rights Commission's 59th session and the upcoming summer session of the UN Economic and Social Council.