Russia Ready for Contact with Iraqi Governing Council

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Russia Ready for Contact with Iraqi Governing Council

Moscow is ready to establish contacts with the United States-backed Iraqi governing council, although it vehemently opposed the US led-war in Iraq, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

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Moscow is ready to establish contacts with the United States-backed Iraqi governing council, although it vehemently opposed the US led-war in Iraq, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Russia regards the council as the first, major step in the power transfer from the coalition forces to the Iraqis," said the statement. "We are ready for contacts with the governing council, development of traditional friendship and cooperation between two countries."

The ministry urged the council to cooperate closely with the United Nations (UN) and its representative in Iraq.

It should be guided by principles of democracy, equality, respect of human rights and freedoms, the ministry added.

"This operational mode can provide efficient solution of acute problems in Iraq, including security, stability, economic rehabilitation and restoration of the social infrastructure," the ministry said.

Igor Ivanov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs also hailed the establishment of the council Monday, in Amman, Jordan, describing it as a "step in the right direction".

Russia "expects this step will lead to the establishment of a legitimate Iraqi government," Interfax quoted him as saying duringa press conference, following talks with his Jordanian counterpartMarwan Muasher.

The US-backed Iraqi governing council held its inaugural meeting on Sunday

The council is composed of 13 Shiites, five Sunnis, five Kurds,one Christian and one Turkman, roughly reflecting Iraq's religiousand ethnic make-up.

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