The United States Claims to Have Credible Evidence of Russian Companies Selling Prohibited Military Equipment to Iraq - 2003-03-24

The United States claims to have credible evidence indicating that Russian companies may have sold sensitive military equipment to Iraq in violation of United Nations sanctions. However, according to a report from Voice of America, Moscow denies these allegations. Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman, states that the government has documents proving that Russian companies may have sold night vision goggles, anti-tank guided missiles, and electronic jamming devices that could disrupt the flight of American aircraft and guided bombs to Iraq. Fleischer expresses that the sale of military equipment is concerning, and the Bush administration has urged Moscow officials to immediately halt such sales. He added that if it is proven that such transactions are true, they would violate United Nations sanctions regarding arms sales to Iraq. A senior Russian official, while denying the White House's accusations, asserts that Moscow has not sold weapons or military systems to Iraq and fully complies with United Nations Security Council decisions. Russia opposes the occupation of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, as well as the disarmament of Iraq led by the United States. Along with France and China, Russia believes that President Bush should have given United Nations weapons inspectors more time to disarm Iraq peacefully. The White House has previously attempted to downplay its disagreements with Moscow, stating that President Bush would not allow differences over Iraq to have lasting effects on U.S.-Russia relations.