Iraq to Purchase 20 Airbus Planes From Europe

In a fresh move to show its defiance over the UN embargo against the country, Iraqi Airways has decided to buy 20 Airbus passenger planes from Europe.

Sources at the company say an European delegation representing the Airbus company is expected to arrive in Baghdad at the end of this month to discuss the issue.

Iraq says that no U.N. resolution bans civil flights and urges the U.S. to end the decade-old embargo, which it claims has been unilaterally imposed by the United States and its allies.

Meanwhile, local media reports that Russian Minister of Transport Sergei Frank will soon make a direct flight from Moscow to Baghdad.

Russia has also declared that it will resume regular civil flights to Iraq some time next month.

People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/