PUTIN WARNS U.S. Not to attack IRAQ

[johnmathew_3000]

YAHOO NEWS

Putin Warns U.S.: Don't Attack Iraq
Mon Feb 11, 4:52 AM ET

MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) warned against U.S. military action against Iraq, saying that the situation in the Persian Gulf nation was different from Afghanistan (news - web sites) and that only the U.N. Security Council could sanction any attack.


In an interview published Monday in The Wall Street Journal, Putin called his nation's partnership with the United States the key to stability in the world. The two powers have reached a "new level of trust," he was quoted as saying.

"This trust allows us, despite any differences or arguments on specific issues, to avoid confrontation," Putin said.

Putin was the first world leader to extend condolences to President Bush (news - web sites) after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and he has been an enthusiastic supporter of the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan. However, Russia is Iraq's closest ally in the United Nations (news - web sites) Security Council, and Moscow has frequently tried to end the U.N. sanctions that were imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and protested U.S. and British airstrikes.

In the interview, Putin objected to Bush's inclusion of Iraq, Iran and North Korea (news - web sites) in what the U.S. president called an "axis of evil" in his Jan. 29 State of the Union speech. Numerous U.S. officials have suggested that Iraq could be next on the list of countries to be attacked in the anti-terrorism campaign.

"We oppose the drawing up of black lists," Putin told The Wall Street Journal. He admitted that Iraq presented a "problem," but said, "Such problems cannot be solved by one country alone."

In the interview, Putin also said that Russia, one of the world's largest oil producers, favored a per-barrel price of $20-25. He also defended the criminal cases opened recently against prominent Russian business executives — which some in the business community have called politically motivated — though he allowed that prosecutors and police sometimes make mistakes.

"Naturally we have to improve the activity of our law enforcement authorities but the worst way of improving their work is to block all action," Putin said.

[Ritta]

"Naturally we have to improve the activity of our law enforcement authorities but the worst way of improving their work is to block all action," Putin said.


Hi, John!
I think that our President Putin is right saying these words you can see above. In my view, Iraq is not the same as in 1990. This country has a nuclear weapon and now they will apply this weapon if they are "pened" into a corner... Everybody must take this into consideration.
However, all consequences of such possible nuclear battle will also reach USA and it's population in any case. So I think that USA should not continue to intervene into the internal matters of other countries and USA needs to organize its antiterrorist company not in the manner of the open war. But the way of such new "manner" should determine only UN, but not USA or NATO...
Best regards,
Ritta

[Ragnvald]

What a pile of rubbish.
"nuclear battle will also reach USA and it's population in any case" - how?
Iraq doesn't have any delivery systems, and I doubt he has nukes too.

Russian concern in Iraq is MONEY. That's it.
That little ******* owes A LOT of money to Russia.
It was OK country before that moroon decided to take over Kuweit.
Russia is afraid it will lose money if Iraq is attacked.

I think Putin and Bush can come to some agreement on that.
US should offer some good compensating deals to Russia, and matter will be decided.
Iraq will be invaded and split into more manageable pieces.
Kurds might get their own state, I sort of feel sorry for people without their own state, they are forigners in Iraq, Iran and Turkey.
Turkey will object to Kurds state, they would like to continue Kurds extermination. But, lets be just for a while and not listen to turks.

[Ritta]

Hi,Ragnval
My words are not a pile of rubbish! Why are you sure that your thoughts about the absence of nuclear weapon in Iraq and Iran are right and true! That are your hopes, no more! I feel you want to check it up! Let's go!!!
But I can give you a picture of your and your country's future in such case:
Everybody still remember 11 September... The first target was Afganistan... Yes, the humankind, especially those part of it who borders on Afganistan, are sick of Afgan's talibs because the talibs built their society as a society of internal and external terror. But such countries as Iraná Turkey and Iraq are differ much of Afganistan. If you, Americans, consider to start an open war with these countries, you should be ready to continue this war on your territory, but this war will not be an open one between the countries... This will be a great attacks of terror regarding every American anywhere... This is the East! And they are muslims (ìóñóëüìàíå)...
As to money... I think it is not a reason for Russia to save the Americans from mistake... a great mistake. My country has enough money and resources, which make us possible to do our own choice.
Regards,
Ritta

[mastodon]

I would like to echo Ragnvald's comments concerning debt. Iraq owes Russia billions of dollars. With Russia's debt to the IMF still over $7 billion, Russia is looking to collect on all the debts it can.

I would also like to take one of Ritta's comments and expand on it. Russia is an independent country with power left over from Soviet times. I think Russia has an important role to play in one of the countries it wields much of it's risidual power in - Iraq.

The United States did a diservice to world peace in provoking Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. Hopefully, Russia, through its influence with these nations, can bring all sides back to at least somewhat amicable relations.

[mastodon]

I understand the need to avert attacks before they happen, and I understand your points concerning the matter. I agree with you in large part, but I believe more can be done diplomatically without harsh words to provoke anger. The recent protests on the streets of Iran speak to this. Though the protests are government sponsored, the propaganda that the Iranian government dispenses to the people is now met with more acceptance and less skepticism.

I am aware that it must be difficult for Bush to walk a fine line between amicability and intimidation. Being an American, I have faith in him and those around him to make the right decisions and exercise wisdom in dealing with these nations. Thankfully, far more capable people than I are in charge.

[mastodon]

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