11 November 2002 00:00
APPEAL OF THE STATE DUMA OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF RUSSIA CONCERNING THE SITUATION AROUND THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ
The threat of the United States of America carrying out a military operation against the Republic of Iraq to change the leadership of the state is causing the justified concern of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and of the entire world community. US plans have not found support in the People's Republic of China, the Republic of India, the states of the Near and Middle East, including the states which had been traditionally supportive of the foreign policy of the USA.
Even closest allies of the USA in Europe have publicly disassociated themselves from the intention to launch a military operation against the Republic of Iraq without the sanction of the UN Security Council. The reason given for carrying out such an operation has no credibility in the world. The USA still has not presented any convincing evidence of the development by Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.
The State Duma regards the decision of the Iraqi leadership to admit to Iraq the UN inspection mission without any conditions as an important step. The State Duma is convinced that if the inspection mission discovers no proof of the existence in Iraq of chemical, bacteriological or nuclear weapons, the world community, as represented by the UN, should at last adopt a decision on the lifting of economic sanctions on Iraq, as a result of which the Iraqi people has become the victim of a humanitarian disaster.
Simultaneously the possibility must be excluded of using the UN inspection mission for the purposes of intelligence or subversive activity against the leadership of the Republic Iraq. The State Duma condemns the US intentions to impose on the UN Security Council a resolution which would enable the United States of America to deliver strikes at Iraq. The use or threat of force without the sanction of the UN Security Council is a gross violation of international law. The deputies of the State Duma have the impression that US actions against Iraq bear a political character, reflecting in the first place the internal political interests of the administration of George Bush. The plans of US unilateral action against Iraq might lead to a global crisis, to the intensification of international terrorism.
The Russian Federation maintains long-standing close and mutually beneficial relations with the Republic of Iraq - one of Russia's large trade and economic partners - and is not indifferent to what is happening in Iraq, located near the State Boundary of the Russian Federation.
The deputies of the State Duma are convinced that the sole reasonable way out of the prevailing situation is to continue the political dialogue with the leadership of Iraq for the purpose of implementing the UN Security Council resolutions, normalizing the situation around Iraq, ending its economic blockade and providing normal conditions of life for the citizens of this state.
Supporting the stand held by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Government of the Russian Federation on the situation around Iraq, the State Duma is appealing to the world community to take all the necessary measures to prevent the further escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the threat of a new war.
The State Duma is suggesting to the Congress of the United States of America that a special meeting be held within the Duma-Congress Working Group to discuss the prevailing situation and to look for ways out of the deepening crisis in the Middle East.
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© Publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
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