Russia is not ready to support expanding the anti-terror war into Iraq, Itar-Tass reported Sunday, quoting Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. "I have repeatedly said that Russia has its own list of countries, from where comes a no less, or probably, a larger threat to neighbor countries and whole continents," Ivanov was quoted as saying.
"America is well aware of our concern, and it can't be the matter of any selective attitude or double standards," Itar-Tass quoted Ivanov.
Iraqi Vice Premier Tareq Aziz ended last week his Moscow trip one day earlier than scheduled, canceling further talks with a number of officials.
It appears that the visit was cut short in light of Iraq’s continuous firm stance rejecting the return of UN weapons inspectors to the country.
The Russian side had urged Iraq to allow the inspectors enter Iraq, in the framework of a Russian initiative to freeze sanctions. However, the Iraqi side, represented by Aziz, had apparently rejected the offer.
The Itar-Tass news agency reported that Aziz left with the aim of consulting the Baghdad government, following US President George W. Bush’s comments with regards to Iraq, during the State of the Union address, aired last week. Bush said that Iraq could become the next target in the U.S.-led global war on terrorism, if it remained a threat to the U.S. or to other countries. (Albawaba.com)
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