Russia Dismisses "Propaganda Fuss" Over Blair Report
Moscow received a copy of the British report, but Ivanov said it was important "not to make a big propaganda fuss" over the issue, RIA Novosti news agency reported.
"We need to wait for the involvement of the experts and only then can we make some conclusions. Only specialists can determine whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction," he was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.
For this reason, Russia was "actively working to obtain the speedy return of inspectors to this country," added Ivanov.
Unveiling a long-awaited dossier, Blair told the British Parliament Tuesday that Iraq may be only a year or two away from possessing a nuclear bomb, and has "military plans" for the use of chemical and biological arms, AFP reported.
London, Washington's closest ally in its plans to strike Baghdad, was seeking to bolster the case for military action against Iraq over its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Monday during a visit to Spain that Moscow acknowledged the use of force against Iraq was a possibility but called it the last of all preferred options. He called Iraq's agreement to the return of inspectors without conditions "a very positive result and a step in the right direction."
Russia, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, has the right to veto any new UN Security Council resolution, which would allow the use of force against Iraq.
eaa0571 3 i 0310 rus /afp-dl33 iraq-britain-russia 2ndlead russia dismisses "propaganda fuss" over blair report attention - adds quotes, background /// moscow, sept 25 (afp) - russian foreign minister igor ivanov on wednesday dismissed what he called a "propaganda fuss" surrounding british prime minister tony blair's dossier on iraq's arsenal, and said the return of un weapons inspectors to the country was the priority.
moscow received a copy of the british report, but ivanov said it was important "not to make a big propaganda fuss" over the issue, ria novosti news agency reported.
"we need to wait for the involvement of the experts and only then can we make some conclusions. only specialists can determine whether iraq has weapons of mass destruction," he was quoted as saying by the ria novosti news agency.
for this reason, russia was "actively working to obtain the speedy return of inspectors to this country," added ivanov.
unveiling a long-awaited dossier, blair told the british parliament tuesday that iraq may be only a year or two away from possessing a nuclear bomb, and has "military plans" for the use of chemical and biological arms.
london, washington's closest ally in its plans to strike baghdad, was seeking to bolster the case for military action against iraq over its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
russian defense minister sergei ivanov said monday during a visit to spain that moscow acknowledged the use of force against iraq was a possibility but called it the last of all preferred options. he called iraq's agreement to the return of inspectors without conditions "a very positive result and a step in the right direction."
russia, as one of the five permanent members of the security council, has the right to veto any new un security council resolution which would allow the use of force against iraq.