Russian Ambassador Accuses US Forces of Shooting at Russian Vehicles - 2003-04-07

The convoy of vehicles carrying Russian diplomats that left Baghdad entered Syria a day after being attacked. The Russian ambassador accused US forces of shooting at the Russian vehicles. The ambassador and several other members of the Russian political delegation in Baghdad were injured in the incident. The US command center stated that the shootings occurred in a disputed area, but no real information about it has been reported. A Russian journalist traveling with the diplomats had previously stated that the Russian convoy was caught in crossfire while passing near Iraqi positions on the outskirts of Baghdad. This incident is on the agenda of discussions by Condoleezza Rice, the US National Security Advisor, who has traveled to Moscow. In Moscow, Condoleezza Rice has engaged in talks with Russian officials aimed at strengthening the friendship ties between the US and Russia despite the deep disagreements between the two countries over the war in Iraq. US Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke by phone with Igor Ivanov, the Russian Foreign Minister, yesterday and promised a thorough investigation into the incident of shooting at the Russian diplomatic convoy as they left Iraq. A spokesperson for the US State Department told a Voice of America reporter that it is unclear whether this incident is related to US operations in Iraq. On Saturday, Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation with President Bush, stated that Russia is committed to continuing political discussions regarding the Iraq war. Recently, Russia has softened its position on the Iraq war, and Mr. Putin has indicated that a potential failure of US forces in Iraq would not be in Russia's interest.