 "I have no doubts that Russian companies will participate in the economic reconstruction of Iraq", - said Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov during his recent visit in Argentina.
According to Russian ORT state television, in this way Russian Foreign Minister commented the statement of Deputy US Minister of Defense Paul Wulfowits that only the firms of the countries – members of anti-Iraq coalition will be allowed to reconstruct Iraqi industries.
Igor Ivanov said that Russia has a long history of relations with Iraq. There are several economic projects which are not completed, and Temporary Council of Iraq has already expressed its interest in working on their completion.
According to the Minister, the main task should be giving the right to Iraqi people to rule their own country. "We will discuss the issues of Russian companies contracts in Iraq with Iraqi government", Igor Ivanov said.
Several years ago Russian Foreign Ministry made the abrupt statement on the issue of the possible excluding Russian companies from contracts for reconstruction of Iraq. According to the statement, such a decision of the USA, "has negative political consequences and raises doubts if the USA wishes international cooperation for long-term settling the situation in Iraq".
At the same time, European Union Commissar on Foreign Policy, the former NATO Secretary General has already said that the problem of participating the countries not fighting in Iraq in reconstruction of this country is solved, ABC news reported. The decision "could have been elaborated better, but this is already the issue of the past and there is no reason for concerns", Javier Solana said at the press-conference after his meeting with Deputy of US Secretary of State Richard Armitage.
Source: http://lenta.ru/ | 
