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I think the US had better take some serious 2nd thoughts about attacking Iraq.
Russia, Iraq to Sign $40 Billion Deal
By SARAH KARUSH
.c The Associated Press
MOSCOW (Aug. 17) - Russia and Iraq are preparing to sign a $40 billion economic cooperation plan, the Iraqi ambassador to Moscow said Saturday. The pact was likely to strain Moscow's relations with Washington as the United States considers a military attack against Baghdad.
The five-year agreement envisions new cooperation in the fields of oil, irrigation, agriculture, railroads, other transportation sectors and electrical energy. It will most likely be signed in Baghdad in the beginning of September, Ambassador Abbas Khalaf told The Associated Press.
The announcement came as Washington struggles to rally international support for a possible invasion of Iraq.
Washington is determined to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein - possibly through a military operation - because of the threat posed by his regime's efforts to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Russia, a longtime ally of Iraq, has forcefully warned against a U.S. invasion.
Moscow has also has supported lifting United Nations sanctions imposed after Baghdad's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Moscow hopes lifting sanctions would allow Baghdad to start paying off its $7 billion Soviet-era debt and help expand trade.
Khalaf emphasized that the new cooperation deal, which is to include new projects as well as the modernization of some Soviet-built infrastructure, would not violate the sanctions. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Saturday it had no comment on the deal.
In the current standoff with the United States, Iraq is counting on Russia to use its leverage in the U.N. Security Council and other diplomatic channels to deprive Washington of international support for a military operation, Khalaf said.
``First of all we need moral, political and diplomatic support. Because Iraq knows how to defend itself,'' Khalaf said.
``The main thing for us is that American aggression does not go through the U.N. Security Council and that America does not receive a U.N. mandate,'' he said. ``Let America act (alone) as an aggressor. It will be condemned from all sides.''
Khalaf dismissed the idea that Russia could yield to U.S. pressure and drop its opposition to an invasion.
``There won't be any concessions,'' he said. ``Iraq is Russia's most dependable partner in the East.''
At the same time, Khalaf said he saw no contradiction between Russia's friendship with Iraq and its ties with Washington, which have strengthened since the Sept. 11 attacks.
``We see friendship among various countries and civilized peoples of the world as a positive step. Any enmity brings harm to a country,'' he said.
The news of the deal with Iraq followed signs that Moscow is maintaining or even increasing its cooperation with Iran and North Korea. Along with Iraq, those two countries make up what President Bush has labeled the ``axis of evil'' because of their efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction.
Last month, Russia announced a 10-year plan for nuclear cooperation with Iran. Under the plan, Russia would build another five reactors in addition to the one currently under construction at Bushehr. Washington fears such cooperation could help Iran develop nuclear weapons.
This week, the Kremlin announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will visit Russia later in August for the second summer in a row.
Russia, Iraq to Sign $40 Billion Deal
By SARAH KARUSH
.c The Associated Press
MOSCOW (Aug. 17) - Russia and Iraq are preparing to sign a $40 billion economic cooperation plan, the Iraqi ambassador to Moscow said Saturday. The pact was likely to strain Moscow's relations with Washington as the United States considers a military attack against Baghdad.
The five-year agreement envisions new cooperation in the fields of oil, irrigation, agriculture, railroads, other transportation sectors and electrical energy. It will most likely be signed in Baghdad in the beginning of September, Ambassador Abbas Khalaf told The Associated Press.
The announcement came as Washington struggles to rally international support for a possible invasion of Iraq.
Washington is determined to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein - possibly through a military operation - because of the threat posed by his regime's efforts to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Russia, a longtime ally of Iraq, has forcefully warned against a U.S. invasion.
Moscow has also has supported lifting United Nations sanctions imposed after Baghdad's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Moscow hopes lifting sanctions would allow Baghdad to start paying off its $7 billion Soviet-era debt and help expand trade.
Khalaf emphasized that the new cooperation deal, which is to include new projects as well as the modernization of some Soviet-built infrastructure, would not violate the sanctions. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Saturday it had no comment on the deal.
In the current standoff with the United States, Iraq is counting on Russia to use its leverage in the U.N. Security Council and other diplomatic channels to deprive Washington of international support for a military operation, Khalaf said.
``First of all we need moral, political and diplomatic support. Because Iraq knows how to defend itself,'' Khalaf said.
``The main thing for us is that American aggression does not go through the U.N. Security Council and that America does not receive a U.N. mandate,'' he said. ``Let America act (alone) as an aggressor. It will be condemned from all sides.''
Khalaf dismissed the idea that Russia could yield to U.S. pressure and drop its opposition to an invasion.
``There won't be any concessions,'' he said. ``Iraq is Russia's most dependable partner in the East.''
At the same time, Khalaf said he saw no contradiction between Russia's friendship with Iraq and its ties with Washington, which have strengthened since the Sept. 11 attacks.
``We see friendship among various countries and civilized peoples of the world as a positive step. Any enmity brings harm to a country,'' he said.
The news of the deal with Iraq followed signs that Moscow is maintaining or even increasing its cooperation with Iran and North Korea. Along with Iraq, those two countries make up what President Bush has labeled the ``axis of evil'' because of their efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction.
Last month, Russia announced a 10-year plan for nuclear cooperation with Iran. Under the plan, Russia would build another five reactors in addition to the one currently under construction at Bushehr. Washington fears such cooperation could help Iran develop nuclear weapons.
This week, the Kremlin announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will visit Russia later in August for the second summer in a row.
What next,, oh, i know, i know,,, they'll send military advisors to Iraq and Iraq will allow them to set up military bases along the Euphraties.