Remember that a donation doesn't have to be large to be significant. There are tens of thousands of FReepers. If everyone would donate just $1.00 a month, we would never have to have another of these FReepathons.
Are you doing your share?
Posted on 07/17/2003 9:34:09 AM PDT by Brian S
Russia Is Prepared to Consider U.S. Proposal to Bring More International Troops to Iraq
The Associated Press
MOSCOW July 17 — A top Russian diplomat said Thursday that Moscow is prepared to consider a U.S. proposal for a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at bringing more international troops to Iraq and would weigh sending its own peacekeepers there under a U.N. mandate, the Interfax news agency reported.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday that there has been discussion about the possibility of a new U.N. resolution.
Annan said the aim of the resolution would be to broaden the U.N. mandate in Iraq and internationalize the U.S. and British operation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov reiterated that Russia will not contribute any troops to the U.S.-led coalition of forces in Iraq, Interfax reported. But he suggested Moscow would consider participation in a broader force approved by the U.N. Security Council, of which it is a permanent veto-wielding member.
"As for the possible creation of a new format for an international presence in the sphere of security in Iraq under the aegis of the United Nations, and by a mandate of the Security Council, we will determine our attitude to possible participation in such forces based on concrete circumstances and the further development of the situation," Interfax quoted him as saying.
The new focus on the United Nations appears to have taken shape in the past week after France, Germany and India refused a U.S. request to provide troops for the U.S.-led force in Iraq unless there is a U.N. mandate.
Russia strongly opposed the U.S.-led war and has called for a stronger U.N. role in postwar Iraq.
"We do not rule out the adoption of another U.N. Security Council resolution broadening the U.N.'s participation in Iraqi affairs," Interfax quoted Fedotov as saying.
He said Russia is concerned about the persistent disorder in Iraq, saying that "what is happening in Iraq is effectively fueling extremist sentiments and playing into the hands of terrorist groups."
Fedotov said "no specific suggestions" for altering the international presence in Iraq have been proposed and stressed that "any proposals must be considered within the U.N. Security Council," according to Interfax. He said Russia "attached great importance" to a council session on Iraq scheduled for next Tuesday.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov discussed the upcoming session with Powell by telephone Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said.
Remember that a donation doesn't have to be large to be significant. There are tens of thousands of FReepers. If everyone would donate just $1.00 a month, we would never have to have another of these FReepathons.
Are you doing your share?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.