21 June 2004 01:42
Security chief rules out any future Russian military presence in Iraq
Moscow, 21 June: The secretary of the Russian Security Council, Igor Ivanov, ascribes oil prices to economic security
factors and expects a continuation of mutually-beneficial cooperation between Russian companies and Iraq.
He has said this in an interview to the [Russian] journal Itogi, the text of which was posted on Monday [21 June] on
the publication's Internet site.
Answering a question about whether a sharp fall in oil prices could threaten Russia's economic security, Ivanov
recalled that "Russia is one of the leading oil-extracting states in the world" while "the price of oil
depends on economic security factors, not just in our country".
"Naturally, a sharp fall [in prices] may influence plans for economic development. In this connection, it is
essential for Russia, within the framework of economic reform, to strive to achieve a situation gradually where oil
prices have less of an influence on the state of the economy," the Security Council secretary believes.
Talking about the possibilities of Russia, within the framework of the latest UN Security Council resolution on Iraq,
taking part in the normalization of life in Iraq and the chances of Russian oil companies getting contracts in that
country, Ivanov said with confidence that "there has been success in all main issues in getting formulae that suit
Russia".
"At the same time, it is perfectly obvious that the unanimous adoption of a [UN] resolution, although important,
is just the first step in settling the situation in Iraq. This crisis has gone so far and has put down such deep roots
that it is difficult to count on it being resolved swiftly," the Security Council secretary noted.
"Russia has consistently spoken out for the restoration of Iraq's sovereignty and we, of course, will be
giving all essential assistance to the Iraqi interim leadership to stabilize the situation," Ivanov said.
Moreover, he stressed that "there is no question of military participation, but there are many other forms of
assistance in eliminating the consequences of war and the restoration of normal life".
In Igor Ivanov's words, "Russian companies have rich political experience of working in Iraq, and not only
in the oil sector".
"There is a good attitude to Russia in Iraqi society and we are counting on continuing mutually-beneficial
cooperation," the Russian Security Council secretary said.
[RIA news agency] |
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