Negotiations for Agreement on Iraq Resolution - 2002-10-17

Igor Ivanov and Colin Powell, the foreign ministers of Russia and the United States, discussed the issue of disarming Iraq today during a phone conversation. The Russian Foreign Ministry states that despite differences in opinions on how to disarm the Baghdad regime, they agree with Mr. Powell that the main goal is to ensure the resumption of inspections in Iraq as soon as possible. The Russian Foreign Ministry also mentions that Mr. Ivanov and Colin Powell agreed on efforts to resolve differences within the framework of the United Nations Security Council. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the U.S. and Russian foreign ministers will discuss the Iraq issue again at the Asia-Pacific summit in Mexico next week. The Russian Foreign Minister also spoke on the phone with Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Ivanov emphasized Moscow's support for resolving the Iraq issue through diplomatic and political means. After meeting with the EU delegation, Mr. Ivanov told reporters that Russia and the 15 EU member states want to prevent a rift in the United Nations and hope to maintain a political framework for resolving issues with each other's help. On Wednesday, Russia again opposed the U.S. proposed resolution at the UN. This proposed resolution allows for military action against Iraq if it defies UN demands. Russia prefers that Iraq's disarmament be carried out through two resolutions: the first to set a historical deadline for Iraq to comply with UN demands regarding inspections, and if Iraq does not comply, a second resolution regarding the consequences of defying the first resolution will be issued.