Iraqi policymaker may visit Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry is making preparations for a visit of Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, the head of Iraq's US-appointed interim Governing Council, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov. Earlier, Fedotov noted that further Russian-Iraqi cooperation would be to mutual interest and favor the rapid restoration of Iraq. "We are interested in contacts with Iraqi policymakers and intend to maintain them", the official said.

Additionally, according to Fedotov, the problem of Russian-Iraqi contracts on developing Iraqi oil deposits will be settled with the new administration of Iraq. At present the issue "is suspended, but not canceled", Fedotov specified.