Moscow "is categorically against a possible military operation against Iraq as part of the next phase of the anti-terrorism combat," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ordzhonikidze said in Moscow Thursday.
He said he clarified Russia's stance on this issue during his meeting with visiting US Undersecretary of State John Wolf following reports on possible US attacks.
Ordzhonikidze said he told his US counterpart that "such actions would only create tensions in the region and break up the anti-terror coalition."
Furthermore, he said, Moscow believes "there is no proof of Iraq's involvement in the September 11 acts of terror in the US. "
In this context, the diplomat said, Moscow stressed the illegitimacy of the so-called "no-fly zones" that the US and Britain have imposed on Iraq without the authority of the U.N. Security Council.
Ordzhonikidze said he also urged the US and Britain to stop airstrikes against Iraq during his talks with Wolf.
The Iraqi problem should be solved on the basis of Russia's initiative of a package approach, he said.
Wolf was here for the Second round of Russian-US consultations on Iraq, which focus on a new modality of supplies to Iraq under humanitarian programs.
(People's Daily December 21, 2001)
