'Russians must help rebuild Iraq'

Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | 06/22/03

[Pokey78]

President Vladimir Putin has warned Britain and the United States not to "squeeze out" Russian firms from the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

On the eve of the first state visit by a Russian leader to Britain for more than 150 years, Mr Putin said he expected contracts signed by Russian firms with the former regime of Saddam Hussein to exploit Iraqi oil reserves to be honoured.

"Our position is based on the primacy of the law," he told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost.

"We agree that the future Iraqi government must make its own decisions on some of those projects but the Iraqi side must fulfil its obligations in compliance with the law. Of course we will be insisting that some of those projects do go ahead.

"We think it is quite justified in terms of current international law. We have every reason to count on the support of international legal bodies."

Mr Putin said that there were also strong practical reasons for the coalition partners to involve Russian firms in the task of rebuilding Iraq.

"We should be realistic and the reality is that the situation in Iraq is very difficult indeed and it become even more difficult if we fail to understand that we need to work together to get the situation back to normal," he said.

"A large section of Iraq's industry and economy is based on Soviet and Russian technology - not the most advanced but nevertheless still functioning. That means that the assets that are there and need to be put back will need spare parts, technical support and so on.

"The cheapest and most efficient way to do all that is to involve Russian experts."

Mr Putin, who publicly mocked Tony Blair on his last visit to Moscow over the coalition's failure to find Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, hinted that he had information about the whereabouts of Saddam.

[witnesstothefall]

"We should be realistic and the reality is that the situation in Iraq is very difficult indeed and it become even more difficult if we fail to understand that we need to work together to get the situation back to normal," he said.

Sounds like a concrete supplier I once knew in New Jersey. Italian. Knowuddahmeen?

[telebob]

"...we need to work together to get the situation back to normal," he said.

What do you think he means by 'back to normal'?

[sd-joe]

Now they want to work together. When the heavy lifting was being done, all they wanted to do was oppose oppose.

I think that they should be forced to give some heavy concessions, before being allowed to participate.

[Common Tator]

On the eve of the first state visit by a Russian leader to Britain for more than 150 years

What bull! Gorby made a state visit to Britain when Margaret Thatcher was prime Misister.

[lilylangtree]

"Mr Putin said he expected contracts signed by Russian firms with the former regime of Saddam Hussein to exploit Iraqi oil reserves to be honoured."

Now it's confirmed as to why Russia wouldn't join the coalition forces to bring down Saddam, regardless of all the political rhetoric and explanations. Russian contracts, like French and German contracts, should be null and void. Brand new day in Iraq!

[thinktwice]

It is the people of Iraq that own Iraq -- let this Russian matter be the first thing Iraqis vote on.