Russia, Iraq May OK $40B Deal

AP | 8-18-02 | JIM HEINTZ

[My Favorite Headache]

Russia, Iraq May OK $40B Deal

By JIM HEINTZ
Associated Press Writer
AP/Jassim Mohammed [22K]

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MOSCOW (AP) — Iraq and Russia are close to signing a $40 billion economic cooperation plan, Iraq's ambassador said Saturday, a deal that could put Moscow at odds with the United States as it considers a military attack against Baghdad.

The statement by Ambassador Abbas Khalaf came amid indications that Russia, despite its strong support for the post-Sept. 11 antiterrorism coalition, is maintaining or improving ties with Iran and North Korea, which together with Iraq are the countries President Bush has labeled the ``axis of evil.''

Washington is trying to rally support for a possible invasion of Iraq, which the United States accuses of supporting terrorism and of rebuilding its banned weapons of mass destruction program, but many U.S. allies are resisting the push. AP/INA [18K]

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German and U.S. officials confirmed Saturday that the U.S. ambassador to Berlin, Dan Coats, had questioned German officials about Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's opposition to attacking Iraq, an indication that Schroeder has irked Washington. Russia, a longtime ally of Iraq, has forcefully warned against a possible U.S. invasion.

Many opponents argue that an invasion cannot be justified without firm proof that the regime of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

The chief United Nations weapons inspector, Hans Blix, told The Associated Press that he can't say with certainty whether Iraq has such weapons. ``If we knew — if we had real evidence that they have weapons of mass destruction — we would bring it to the Security Council,'' he said.

Blix spoke while waiting for Iraq's response to a letter from Secretary-General Kofi Annan urging the country to allow the return of weapons inspectors, who left in December 1998.

The pending Russia-Iraq economic deal is likely to be seen by Washington as another blow to its efforts to marshal backing for an attack. On Saturday, White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said only ``We're confident that Russia understands its obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions and that they'll abide by them.''

Sanctions imposed by the Security Council after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait cannot be lifted until U.N. inspectors certify that its biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons have been destroyed along with the long-range missiles to deliver them.

Moscow has supported lifting the U.N. sanctions, hoping that would allow Baghdad to start paying off its $7 billion Soviet-era debt and help expand trade. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday it had no comment on reports of an imminent economic cooperation agreement.

The agreement, which envisions new cooperation in the fields of oil, irrigation, agriculture, transportation, railroads and electrical energy, will most likely be signed in Baghdad in the beginning of September, Khalaf told The Associated Press.

Khalaf emphasized that the new cooperation deal, which is to include new projects as well as the modernization of some Soviet-built infrastructure, would not violate the sanctions.

In the current standoff with the United States, Iraq is counting on Russia to use its leverage in the U.N. Security Council and other diplomatic channels to deprive Washington of international support for a military operation, Khalaf said.

``First of all we need moral, political and diplomatic support. Because Iraq knows how to defend itself,'' he said. ``The main thing for us is that American aggression does not go through the U.N. Security Council and that America does not receive a U.N. mandate. ... Let America act (alone) as an aggressor. It will be condemned from all sides.''

Khalaf said he saw no contradiction between Russia's friendship with Iraq and its ties with Washington, which have strengthened since the Sept. 11 attacks.

``We see friendship among various countries and civilized peoples of the world as a positive step. Any enmity brings harm to a country,'' he said.

Under Putin, Russian foreign policy has sought to create a network of alliances to counterbalance alleged U.S. domination of international affairs. Although Putin has moved Russia closer to West — including increasing contacts with NATO and not raising objections to U.S. forces in Georgia and in former Soviet Central Asia — he also has pursued relations with countries that are anathema to the United States.

Last month, Russia announced a 10-year plan for nuclear cooperation with Iran. Under the plan, Russia would build five reactors in addition to the one currently under construction at Bushehr, Iran. Washington fears such cooperation could help Iran develop nuclear weapons.

This week, the Kremlin announced that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will visit Russia later in August for the second summer in a row.

[My Favorite Headache]

ping

[MissAmericanPie]

Ezekiel 38 anyone?

[My Favorite Headache]

I am not liking the smell of this. UK doing their nuclear evac plan for the public. U.S. talking about their plan for govt. workers and evacuating. China,Russia, Iraq...this smells....big time.

[defenderSD]

This "deal" could also be just an attempt to make Russia look neutral towards the Islamic world and thereby reduce the threat of terrorism against Russia by Islamic radicals. It could also be a negotiating ploy to receive more debt repayments from the new Iraqi government that will follow the current regime.

[Cold Heat]

Not good, but it makes sense from the Russian point of view.

What irks me is the Russians do not understand the gravity of a prolific amount of weopons grade material that could be produced by these reactors without changing their original purpose, but then maybe I don't.

Does anyone have the data on this.

Can these reactors be used as breeders?

[bok]

Putin warns US on Iraq
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1814252.stm

[My Favorite Headache]

I thought the U.S. was gonna get Russia on our side by paying off Iraq's debt?

[MissAmericanPie]

You are right of course. It is time to make a few plans ourselves isn't it? Given the concern being shown for the citizens of the USofA, we are very much on our own. If you don't have a preplanned place to meet up with other family members, might want to make one. Chart different routes to it, have supplies on hand and loaded or ready to load. Those with a prepared mind have a better chance of survival if they survive the initial attack that is.

It's hard to get everyone rounded up with you at work and the kids at school. F.E.M.A. may evacuate the kids thinking that if mom and dad do show up later to collect them, F.E.M.A. can confiscate what supplies and medicines the parents have set aside, for the "greater good" don't you know. Check with your childs school to see what plans, if any, are prepared, who prepared them, and where the kids will be evacuated to, etc. Only one parent should go there to collect the kiddos, and what goods you have should be stached with the parent waiting for the other's return.

There are literally a million things to consider. It may be time to begin to consider them I'm thinkin.

[My Favorite Headache]

America has ZERO nuclear war/fallout plans...zero..zip..nadda...for the population. Now Russia on the other hand.......yeah they do. They have been stocking up on wheat and killing cattle like crazy for storage...gotta wonder why, huh?

[MissAmericanPie]

I didn't know Russia was doing all that, very interesting, not to mention troubling.

[My Favorite Headache]

Have a look at the thread in my bookmarks...about the M/X missle. Then get back to me when you have time.

[MissAmericanPie]

I will, I have to hit the hay right now, I have an early morning and I can't believe I'm still up. See ya tomorrow.

[My Favorite Headache]

Remember...duck and cover....lolol...sweet dreams!

[bok]

I don't know about that. The concern i have with the russians is they have a very large nuclear arsnenal. The U.S. pays them i read or heard billions.

[My Favorite Headache]

Have a read:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/644976/posts

[Ken H]

"...will most likely be signed in Bagdad in September."

So says AP, quoting the Iraqi Ambassador.

I'm taking this with a grain of salt until there's reliable confirmation.

[bushfamfan]

These Russians seem to be playing games with the U.S. Consider Putin/Russia's relationship with China and signing a friendship pact(ever wonder what they discuss in private concerning the U.S.?). Russia and N. Korea, Iran, and continuing with Iraq. They do it in a roundabout way, but I think it's easy to come to the conclusion they're playing a very dangerous game that wishes the U.S. ill. N. Korea, Iran and Iraq have personal histories you could run through in why it is dangerous to allow them to build weapons of destructive war. I think the U.S. has da*n good reason for going after Iraq, due to the fact that beast continues to deny weapons inspectors, continues to work for biological/chemical weapons and has a proven history of starting conflict, working for the destruction of Israel, the U.S., etc. His personal history and all these games of working around inspectors, this game and that game is not going to explain away the fact it's obvious he will pass on the biological/chemical weapons to terrorists(mass murderers who deliberately look to kill of people) seeking the destruction of the U.S.(as he does- and then on to the next country). There is no defense of these bull**** denials coming out of Iraq and the world not giving a damn about the U.S. having obvious concerns with not waiting around and letting Iraq, obvious enemies, work to destroy us through themselves, or giving the money/weapons to others' to carry out their work. This is despicable and Europe has me especially angered. Russia is betraying any sort of trust we supposedly had and China is obviously working as the next Soviet Union. They do it in sneaky ways, but it's obvious they'd want to pass on technology to wicked nations with a history or mass murder, rule through fear, world domination through force(that they are working to get through the ever-so-friendly Russians-Soviets and Chinese. I'd like Russia and China held responsible for Iraq, Iran and N. Korea obtaining weapons of mass destruction and if those ruthless nations use them, the U.S. should respond in not only sending it back, but to those they came from-Russia and China. Putin is the KGB man. He's betrayed any sort of trust. That's no friend.

[Andy from Beaverton]

I really doubt the Islamics are going to reduce the terrorism against Russia. They have all but wiped out the Chechyn threat of independence and are moping up the last holds of resistance around Grozny. But I think you are dead on making sure their debt gets repaid one way or another. $7 billion out of the hands of the black market can go a long way in Russia.