Putin tells Bush he won't veto UN resolution

Times of India ^ | March 10, 2003

[Indy Pendance]

NEW YORK: Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured his US counterpart George W Bush that Moscow would not veto a UN resolution on Iraq pushed by the US, Time magazine reported on Sunday.

"The President had a conversation and got a different impression - not that Putin was with him, but that he's not going to veto," the news magazine quoted the unnamed White House official as saying.

The US, Britain and Spain have sponsored a draft resolution that would give Iraq a March 17 deadline to comply with UN demands that it disarm.

Russian deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov said on Friday that Russia would block an amended draft resolution setting a March 17 deadline for Iraq to demonstrate to the UN Security Council that it is complying with demands that it disarm.

[Publius Maximus]

Right, he'll delegate the actual veto to Ivanov...AH the nuances of European diplomacy...

[Trust but Verify]

This is the least I would expect of an ally. What France is doing is breathtaking. It is one thing for the Frogs to be against it and quite another for them to globe-trot to take votes away from the US. What on earth are they doing?

[arizonafox]

I think some of those B-52's stationed in the U.K. ought drop a few ordinates on "Chez Chirac" on their way to Baghdad !

[steveo]

What on earth are they doing?

In the end I wonder if it will be like the nursery rhyme line "the cheese stands alone?"

[Jean S]

I'm not impressed. If I understand how it works only one veto is needed. France has already said it would veto.

[Asclepius]

The US, Britain and Spain have sponsored a draft resolution that would give Iraq a March 17 deadline to comply with UN demands that it disarm.

Dude. Spain rocks.

Raise a glass for Spain, man. A glass of Spanish wine.

[MississippiMan]

I suspect it has eaten at the arrogant French for a hundred years or more that they and other European countries have taken a back seat to the USA. I think they really believe they are now realigning the geopolitical order into a new framework that will be Euro-centric.

MM

[EverOnward]

Which foreign country has the most spies living and working in the United States?

I heard it was France and I believe it.

[firebrand]

It's important. It strengthens Bush and further isolates France.

[dawn53]

If France vetoes, it just means we can get started sooner and not wait around till the 17th.

[hchutch]

Precisely. Putin and Bush disagree on Iraq, but I knew something would be worked out - look at how they handled the ABM Treaty.

Putin is a good guy - he and Bush won't see eye-to-eye, but he is an honorable man.

[July 4th]

Please let France veto the resolution. They'll never set a foot in Iraq again after the war. The newly freed people will know who fought to liberate them.

[BlackJack]

France could surrender.

[Trust but Verify]

I hope you're right. In the end, if the resolution has enough votes for passage, I suspect they will chicken out and abstain rather than cast the lone veto. This is going to be a very interesting week.

[steveegg]

Well, getting out of the way is better than getting steamrolled, and Putin's smart enough to know that it's a steamroller that France is trying to stop.

[mrb1960]

So who's telling the truth, Fedotov or Putin???

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

If Russia abstains then it increases the probabilities that France will also!

[aculeus]

Putin's role so far has been a big disappointment. Let's hope he comes to his senses and votes with us or abstains.

He is IMO far more trustworthy than Chirac or Schroeder.

He may be having problems with his generals and the communists in his government but in the long run he is a better ally than the weasels.

[Senator Pardek]

Akin to the Democrat Senators who voted against the tax grab of '94. They knew only 50 Dems were needed...