RUSSIA: Russia tried to slow Washington's seemingly inexorable march towards war yesterday, saying that President Saddam Hussein had pledged not to obstruct the work of international arms inspectors in Iraq and hinting that Moscow might block any new United Nations resolution sanctioning military action in the Gulf.
"Saddam Hussein said there would be no obstacles placed in the way of the work of [United Nations\] inspectors," the foreign ministry said in a statement, shedding light on a secret mission to Baghdad undertaken on the Kremlin's behalf by former prime minister, Mr Yevgeny Primakov, on Sunday.
Mr Primakov, who is also a former foreign minister and intelligence chief who speaks fluent Arabic, met President Saddam to "explain the position of the Russian leadership on the Iraq question and receive assurances that Iraq will strictly fulfil the [current UN\] resolution and fully and unconditionally work with the international inspectors".
The statement was followed by news that Foreign Minister Mr Igor Ivanov had discussed the Iraqi crisis on the telephone with his hawkish counterparts from the United States, Britain and Spain, as well as his opposite numbers from France and Germany, who share Moscow's opposition to force.
While reiterating Russia's support for a diplomatic solution to the arms impasse, the statement suggested that Moscow might use its Security Council veto to block any new resolution sanctioning war against Iraq, where Russia has major oil contracts and is owed some $8 billion in debt which it fears war will annul.
"A real chance has emerged to put an end to the question of Iraq's potential [to develop\] weapons of mass destruction. In this situation, the use of force would clearly be counterproductive and would severely set back the international community's chance of achieving this aim," the foreign ministry said.
One of Mr Putin's key confidants, Kremlin Chief of Staff Mr Alexander Voloshin, met President George Bush and senior US advisers in Washington yesterday.
As US and British diplomats put the finishing touches to a new resolution for Security Council perusal, Russia's ambassador to the UN called into question their motives for tabling a fresh mandate that he said was unnecessary.
"The main task is to stop the war, as we believe that there are no reasonable grounds for it. Iraq is increasing its cooperation with the inspectors," Mr Sergei Lavrov told national RTR television.
He said the Security Council could avoid a divisive split "by proceeding on a basis of compromise and consensus rather than obediently following someone's will".
Commentators say Russia wants guarantees that Western oil firms will not flood the world market with Iraqi crude and depress soaring prices that have swelled oil-exporter Moscow's vital hard currency reserves.
Russia may also want assurances regarding Washington's planned missile defence system. Undersecretary of State Mr John Bolton, a key U.S. official on both issues, flew into Moscow yesterday for talks.