State Duma Will Repeatedly Discuss Iraqi Problem - 1 April, 2003

On February 4th, the State Duma /the Russian Parliament's lower chamber/ intends to discuss repeatedly the Iraqi problem and consider a draft of the corresponding decree, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma international committee Konstantin Kosachev stated.

The first decree was passed on March 20th, immediately after the beginning of the war in Iraq, and "in the emergency situation" when most of the MPs "did not know much about the problem", he said.

According to Kosachev, now the MPs "have analysed the situation and want to confirm their standpoint that the operation is unlawful and no arguments can justify it". The military operation in Iraq must be stopped immediately and the situation must return to the lawful field, the representative of the State Duma international committee stressed.