U.N. to Consider Using Forces Against Iraq if Inspectors Meet Difficulties: Russian minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, October 19, 2002

U.N. to Consider Using Forces Against Iraq if Inspectors Meet Difficulties: Russian minister

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Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Friday that the U.N. Security Council could consider adopting a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq if weapons inspectors encounter difficulties during their mission in Iraq.

"If inspectors began to work in Iraq and in the course of thiswork, problems appear, the inspector report what problems have arisen. Then the U.N. Security Council should again consider this issue and decide whether harsher measures, including the use of force, are required," said the minister at a press conference in Moscow.

Russia, along with China and France, has repeatedly expressed objection to an original U.S. proposed resolution that sets tough terms for Iraq's cooperation with U.N. weapons inspectors, including the use of military force if Iraq does not fulfill the new terms.

However, after encountering strong opposition, the U.S. has advanced a new proposal that calls for inspectors to report immediately to the council any failure by Iraq to comply with its disarmament.

If a failure is reported, the Security Council would convene immediately "to consider the situation and the need for full compliance with all the relevant council resolutions in order to restore international peace and security," said excerpts of the proposal.

Ivanov said Russia hoped that in the near future, the Security Council would be able to work out a resolution that would "strengthen the mandate the inspectors have.''

He also criticized the first U.S. resolution, saying it "contained elements that go beyond the framework of earlier resolutions."

As an example, he cited the idea of sending a military contingent to Iraq to protect the weapons inspectors, which he said did not comply with the existing resolutions and would hardlycontribute to the mission.

Iraq, itself, had pledged to guarantee the security of the international inspectors, he added.

The minister also denied reports that Moscow was holding secrettalks with Washington to protect its economic interests in Iraq.

"We have never hidden the fact that Russia has serious interestsin Iraq", but "We are not in confidential talks with Washington. This is not about trade, this is about solving problems," he said.

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