Test for Russian-American coop

[Gość: Zbyszek]

RUSSIA WILL HAVE TO DECIDE FOR ITSELF

The participants of the international discussion “Russia-Iraq: Economic
Cooperation,” which took place in Moscow on Monday, stood against toughening
the sanctions against Iraq.

Russia was represented by the spokesmen for the Russian Federal Assembly, for
the presidential administration, the Russian government, and several
ministerial departments. Iraq was represented by President of the Community for
friendship, peace, and solidarity Abdel Razzak al-Hashemi and spokesmen for
four ministries.

As RIA Novosti informed, the resolution, which was approved at the end of the
session, said that the USA and Great Britain are going to present a draft
resolution to the UN Security Council on December 3, 2001. This resolution will
considerably toughen the sanctions regime imposed against Iraq. If the UN
Security Council passes this resolution, then it will cause serious damage to
the economic interests of both Iraq and Russia.

Iraq is world’s number two producer of crude after Saudi Arabia, but the UN
resolutions restrain its free operation. The operating humanitarian oil-for-
food program does not allow Iraq to sell its oil over the norms set by the UN.
The sold crude is often used for purchasing food and medicines for the Iraqi
population and a lion’s share is used to reimburse the American costs for its
war in the Persian Gulf .

Iraq gave the carte blanche to Russian companies for the development of Iraqi
deposits, and, therefore, it is Russia that is interested in the withdrawal of
the sanctions against Iraq. The prime cost of the extraction of Iraqi crude is
very low and the reserves are huge. If Russia is allowed to operate freely in
terms of the extraction of Iraqi crude, then the sales income will make up not
five or six dollars but much more. In addition, one should bear in mind that
Iraq has repeatedly said that if there is a positive economic conjuncture, then
it is ready to pay back its debts to Russia, and the sum is far from being
small. This is another reason why we should support Iraq.

If the cooperation between Russia and Iraq will be suspended or wrapped up at
all, then this will lead to a loss for Russia regarding its on Iraq and
Russia’s ability to exert influence on the situation in the Persian Gulf will
weaken.

Washington's and London's position is clear. A military operation against Iraq
was about to cause a split in NATO. That is why Washington started talking
about making the sanctions tougher. A project like that has already been
submitted to the UN Security Council (in July of the current year), but Russia
was absolutely against it. Such an approach allowed Russia to take a priority
position on the Iraqi market and sign extra contracts to the sum of $800
million as of October of the current year. It is not yet clear what is going to
happen this time. If Russia vetos the American suggestions, then it risks
destroying the fragile mutual understanding that has appeared between Russia
and the USA. At any rate, this decision will be like a test to check Russian-
American relations. We shall wait and see. -dos-