Russia, US to Continue Cooperation in Rebuilding Iraq

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 08, 2003

Russia, US to Continue Cooperation in Rebuilding Iraq

Russia and the United States pledged on Thursday to maintain joint efforts in resuming peace and stability in the post-war Iraq.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Russia and the United States pledged on Thursday to maintain joint efforts in resuming peace and stability in the post-war Iraq.

After talks in Moscow with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister YuriFedotov, visiting US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns said they discussed a wide range of issues related to Iraq's reconstruction, and pledged to continue cooperation in boosting the country's revival, Interfax reported.

Burns, who arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, said both sides would have further talks on Russian companies operating in Iraq, noting the United States was aware that many Russian firms were very interested in working in Iraq.

The senior US diplomat added that his country would expand bilateral contacts with Russia within the framework of the United Nations Security Council to ensure the implementation of Resolution 1483.

Burns also praised the role of the Iraqi Governing Council and expressed hope that this provisional body would prove instrumentalin restoring stability to the region.

Meanwhile, Fedotov said Russia and the United States would step up their efforts in resuming peace in Iraq and both sides agreed that "more vigorous steps need to be taken" in this regard.

"The settlement of the situation in Iraq and the formation of a truly legitimate government will contribute to stability in the region as a whole," Fedotov was quoted as saying.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov called on the UN Security Council to pass a new resolution on Iraqthat would "open up a clear prospect for political settlement and the formation of a legitimate government in the country."

But according to Fedotov, Burns made no clear comment on Ivanov's proposal, only saying that his country and Russia shared "broad mutual understanding" on the need for a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraq's post-war settlement.

Thursday's bilateral talks also called on the international community to take further steps to fight the evil of international terrorism, said Alexander Saltanov, another Russian deputy foreign minister attending the consultations.

Saltanov said Russia and the United States also shared the view that there was still a long way to go to eradicate the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Russia, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, was strongly opposed to the US-led war on Iraq. But it is now trying to mend its relations with the United States and seek more interests in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Questions?Comments? Click here

DPRK's Kim Jong Il Elected Member of Parliament ( 2 Messages)

Main Party of China's First Euthanasia Lawsuit Dies ( 2 Messages)

For Whom Does Jackie Chan Feel Pity and Shed Tears? ( 5 Messages)

News Analysis: Bush's Political Fortune to Rise or Fall? ( 4 Messages)

Japan to Be Restored as China's Biggest Tourism Source ( 3 Messages)