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Iraqi Deputy PM Hails Russia's Rejection of "Smart Sanctions"
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and acting Foreign Minister Tareq Aziz Wednesday hailed Russia's rejection of the U.S.-British proposed "smart sanctions" against Iraq.
Aziz made the remark in response to Russia's declaration of its rejection of the "smart sanctions" and its official information to the Security Council members of its stance.
The Iraqi deputy prime minister Tuesday received a message from Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov which made it clear Russia's stance on the "smart sanctions." Russia also reportedly tabled a draft resolution to the council to break the deadlock on the Iraqi issue.
Addressing reporters here Wednesday, Aziz welcomed Russia's opposition to the draft resolution which was submitted to the U.N. Security Council by the United States and Britain, saying that the draft targets the sovereignty and some other countries that have economic, trade and political ties with Iraq.
The U.S.-British proposal was designed to ease Iraqi import of civilian goods and tighten curbs on military-related materials.
Iraq has been under the international sanctions since 1990 for its invasion of neighboring Kuwait.
On the U.S.-British air raids on northern Iraq which killed 23 Iraqis and wounded 11 others recently, Aziz said the U.S. and British justifications for that attack on a football court in Talafar were "baseless."
He termed U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as a "liar."
Iraq will take part in the upcoming Security Council debates on the "smart sanctions" to categorically reject the draft against Iraq, Aziz added.
In early June, Aziz said Iraq had officially asked Russia to veto the bill on "smart sanctions." Iraqi President Saddam Hussein also urged Russia to veto against the draft resolution.
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