Sofia, Mar 02: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday called for a peaceful solution to the Iraq conflict, acknowledging differences with its once close ally, Bulgaria, on the issue. Addressing reporters after talks with his host, President Georgi Parvanov, Putin said, "The Iraqi crisis can and should be resolved by peaceful means." He said that in taking decisions, “We should be guided by principles and norms of international law."
Putin said Russia's and Bulgaria's positions on the conflict "do not coincide fully" but added that every state was free to define its foreign policy. Although the one-on-one talks between Putin and Parvanov lasted three times longer than scheduled, there was no word on any pressure Putin might have used to provoke a change in Bulgaria's position.
Bulgaria, currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with no veto power, is one of the staunchest supporter of the tough stand taken by the United States and Britain against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Putin criticized the European Union for delaying its joint stand on Iraq, which put in a delicate position the countries aspiring to join the union.
Bureau Report