Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, March 10, 2003
Putin, Chirac Reaffirm Stance on Peaceful Settlement of Iraqi Crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac have reaffirmed their support to peaceful, political and diplomatic settlement of the Iraqi issue.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac have reaffirmed their support to peaceful, political and diplomatic settlement of the Iraqi issue.
They stood for further efficient use of the United Nations in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1441.
During a telephone conversation held between them Sunday, Putinand Chirac exchanged opinions about a report of chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix, which had been discussed at a ministerial session of the UN Security Council since March 7, the Russian presidential press secretary Alexei Gromov said.
They noted with satisfaction that the conclusion of Blix, whichwas confirmed by the statement of Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei, had been supported by the majority of members of the UN Security Council, Gromov said.
Russia and France, both veto-wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council, have repeatedly expressed opposition to military operation against Iraq and called for further UN inspection in the country.