Russia is categorically against the possibility of a military action against Iraq in the next stage of the war against terrorism, deputy foreign minister Sergey Ordzhonikidze has said.
He said on Thursday that suggestions by the United States that it would attack Iraq, can only lead to an increase in tensions in the region, and the collapse of the anti-terrorist coalition, Interfax news agency reported.

Ordzhonikidze was speaking after meeting the US state department official in charge of non-proliferation, John Stern Wolf, who is on an official visit to Moscow. Ordzhonikidze said that he had repeated Russia's opposition to the no-fly zones in Iraq maintained by US and British air patrols.
Iraq, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen have all been mentioned as possible targets for future US military action. US national security advisor Condoleeza Rice said on Thursday that the world and Iraq will live better without Saddam Hussein in power.

Bureau Report