Posted on 05/15/2004 6:40:53 AM PDT by knighthawk
MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice on Saturday to discuss Iraq and the Middle East, the Kremlin said.
U.S. officials said before Rice's Friday arrival that talks would focus on the June 30 transfer of power to an interim Iraqi administration and a new U.N. resolution on Iraq.
A statement from Putin's office said they also discussed "various issues relating to the Russian-U.S. cooperation, as well as key international problems," including Iraq.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov said Friday that Russia is prepared to work toward a new U.N. resolution on Iraq, but first wants an agreement on what steps should be taken to legitimize a new Iraqi government after the transfer.
Fedotov added that Russia would not oppose the deployment of international forces in Iraq after June 30 as long as there was a clear U.N. mandate detailing their duties and length of stay.
Moscow strongly opposed the U.S.-led war against Iraq and has repeatedly called for a stronger U.N. role in the nation.
After handing over control to a caretaker Iraqi government, the United States will continue providing security in the country.
Rice and Putin did not have a scheduled press conference Saturday. She is set to leave for Berlin on Sunday.
Ping
Awesome woman.
She's done a good job with Russia and a poor job in the middle east.
didn't see much advance info on her visit...was it widely reported? Does it seem important to anyone else besides FReepers?
I don't know about anyone else but i think we could use Russian help in the WOT more than any other nation. I think if we look we would find that Russia has lost more people to terrorism than any other nation. Literally hundreds of russian soldiers and citizens have been beheaded by Chechyan muslims.
Now I understand why the Russians got so angry about our bombing of Belgrade.
It is refreshing to see excellence in the government.
She may have gone over there to talk them into increasing support.
Another advantage would be their willingness to do what needs to be done without concern for political niceties. When they do things the liberals don't like we can make noises of displeasure and go on about our business.
Exactly.
THEY have the stomach to do what needs to be done. Sadly, many here and Europe do NOT.
The Chinese MAY end up saving civilization.
=== They responds to intelligence, shrewdness and toughness.
Yep ... probably shake in fear as well, given the way she body-blocked Yeltsin.
Doubt Putin will feel comfortable playing snooker with which this chick the way he does Tony Blair.
=== The Chinese MAY end up saving civilization.
Yeah ... but only because they're poised to put the fear of God back into Russia, Europe AND the US.
I don't see it happening anytime soon.
Right now I think Islamic nuts are the primary concern.
Condi speaks perfect russian and is very respected there. Most Russian public is against the Iraq War but they support the WOT in Afganistan. Since President Bush and Condi have supported the WOT in Chechnya, President Putin is likly to give his agreement to Condi. President Bush is lucky to have such a brilliant lady on his team!
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