Moscow May Take a Tougher Stance on Iraq

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, stated that if the Baghdad government creates obstacles for United Nations weapons inspectors, Moscow may adopt a tougher stance on Iraq. During a speech at Kyiv University, Mr. Putin mentioned that hindering the work of UN weapons inspectors and disrupting their duties could lead Russia to join the United States in calling for a stronger action from the UN Security Council regarding this issue. Nevertheless, he reiterated that any action in this regard should be coordinated through the UN Security Council. Earlier, Jack Straw, the British Foreign Secretary, announced that Iraq has effectively and tangibly violated the UN's disarmament demands. In Paris, Dominique de Villepin, the French Foreign Minister, reiterated his government's opposition to any unilateral action regarding the Iraq crisis and urged the United States to act within the framework of the UN Security Council. In Washington, the White House spokesperson described a new resolution from the UN Security Council authorizing military operations against Iraq as desirable but not mandatory.