A Russian Defense Ministry newspaper strongly condemned the United States policy and its threats against Iraq under the pretext of combating terrorism, according to the Iraq News Agency (INA).
The newspaper termed the American threats and accusations as baseless. The aim of such accusations, it said, was to justify Washington's aggressive intentions.
It added that U.S. President George W. Bush inherited his father's hatred and hidden hostility towards Iraq and described Bush's policy as impetuous.
Alert
Meanwhile, the opposition Iraqi National Congress (INC) said Iraq's state institutions, particularly the army, police and media, have been placed on maximum alert in case the United States launches an attack on the country. "The regime in Baghdad on Tuesday placed all its institutions on a maximum alert, in anticipation of an American strike," the coalition of London-based opposition groups said in a statement published by AFP.
The INC said the country's army, its elite Republican Guard, security and intelligence services, as well as civil defense and all media outlets have received the standing order.
The institutions are to prepare emergency military command centres and presidential offices in case of a strike, it said. (Albawaba.com)
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