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Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Thursday that a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraq must guarantee the return as soon as possible of weapons inspectors to Iraq and must not authorize the automatic use of force against the country.
During a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Ivanov reaffirmed "Russia's fundamental position in favor of settling the Iraq problem through political-diplomatic means," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
This stand is shared by most members of the United Nations, which are now debating on a new Iraq resolution at the UN SecurityCouncil, said the statement.
Showing an understanding over the Russian position, Annan said he was willing to continue the efforts in finding an efficient way to settle the Iraq problem in line with UN Security Council resolutions, said the statement.
Ivanov also held talks Thursday with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, stressing Moscow's stand that "the chief goal today must be to provide for the quick start of an effective inspection process in Iraq," the Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry said Ivanov and Powell discussed "concrete views about how to preserve the unity of the Security Council and its five permanent members on this crucial question."
( October 18, 2002)
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