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Powell-Ivanov talks on Iraq `constructive`
Washington, Sept 11: US Secretary of State Colin Powell and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov had a `constructive` telephone conversation on the Iraq proposal that Washington has submitted to the UN Security Council, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said.
Washington, Sept 11: US Secretary of State Colin Powell and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov had a "constructive" telephone conversation on the Iraq proposal that Washington has submitted to the UN Security Council, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said.
France and Germany are pushing the United States to give the United Nations a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq, according to a draft proposal circulating at the United Nations.
The draft is aimed at amending the initial version of a planned US resolution that would authorise a multinational force for Iraq.
"We heard from the French on proposed amendments to the text," said Boucher. "The Russians offered us a separate set of suggestions. We are reviewing those proposals, we'll respond after further internal consultations."
Powell's "discussion with Ivanov was a good and constructive exchange on the resolution and the elements of the resolution," said Boucher. "We found the discussions with the Russians very productive."
Powell also spoke with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Boucher said.
The discussions, added Boucher, will continue in Geneva on Saturday, where the foreign ministers of the five Security Council permanent members -- the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain -- were invited to hear Annan speak on Iraq.
Bureau Report
The draft is aimed at amending the initial version of a planned US resolution that would authorise a multinational force for Iraq.
"We heard from the French on proposed amendments to the text," said Boucher. "The Russians offered us a separate set of suggestions. We are reviewing those proposals, we'll respond after further internal consultations."
Powell's "discussion with Ivanov was a good and constructive exchange on the resolution and the elements of the resolution," said Boucher. "We found the discussions with the Russians very productive."
Powell also spoke with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Boucher said.
The discussions, added Boucher, will continue in Geneva on Saturday, where the foreign ministers of the five Security Council permanent members -- the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain -- were invited to hear Annan speak on Iraq.
Bureau Report