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Iraq Opposes Any New US Attempts at "Smart Sanctions": Iraqi FM
Iraq will oppose any new attempts by the United States to re-submit the so-called "smart sanctions" proposal to the United Nations Security Council, Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri Ahmed said on Monday.
"Iraq will strongly resist any new US proposal to restructure the sanctions at the UN Security Council," Ahmed was quoted by the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) as saying.
"If the US tries to submit the (smart sanctions) proposal again, its chances of success will be slimmer than the previous one, because Iraq has been developing its relations with Arab and world countries," Ahmed said.
Iraq, under 11-year-old UN sanctions for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, has been firmly against the "smart sanctions" proposed by the US and Britain in a bid to ease Iraq's imports of civilian goods but tighten control over materials that can be used for military purposes.
Russia, staunchly on the side of Iraq on the issue, threatened to veto the "smart sanctions" in July and blocked the draft proposal at the UN Security Council as a result.
Iraq has voiced appreciation to Russia, Turkey, Syria and Jordan for their opposition to the "smart sanctions," while promising priority in trade dealings with these countries.
Iraq has been demanding a total and unconditional lifting of the UN sanctions.
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