Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Moscow's position against Iraq could toughen if U.N arms inspectors were hampered in their search for signs of banned nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
"If Iraq starts hampering (the work of inspectors), I do not exclude the fact that Russia could change its position. We are ready to work towards different solutions. I am not saying which but they could be more tough than before," Putin told students at Ukraine's main university during a three-day visit.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov called on Iraq to clarify as soon as possible the issue of whether or not there were any chemical or biological weapons in the country. He was speaking at a joint press conference with the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The Russian minister noted that the activity of UNMOVIC and IAEA inspectors in Iraq was of vital importance.
In Igor Ivanov's opinion, El Baradei's report to the UN Security Council dispelled rumors that Iraq could allegedly have created a nuclear capability at any moment. However, the Russian minister said that "many unclear issues in relation to chemical and biological weapons remained." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
