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Russia stresses US, Britain responsible for security in Iraq
Moscow, Aug 21: Responsibility for security in Iraq `lies with the coalition forces` of the United States and Britain, a top Russian official said today, two days after a devastating bomb attack on UN Headquarters in Baghdad that left at least 24 dead.
Moscow, Aug 21: Responsibility for security in
Iraq "lies with the coalition forces" of the United States
and Britain, a top Russian official said today, two days
after a devastating bomb attack on UN Headquarters in Baghdad
that left at least 24 dead.
"Under UN Security Council resolution 1483, these
(US-British) forces are obliged to maintain order in the
country," Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov said.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday also
stressed at a security council meeting that security in Iraq
was "ultimately the responsibility" of the US-British forces
as "occupying powers."
Fedotov noted that Russia "actively backed the Security Council statement on Iraq."
Russia "believes it is important both to condemn unconditionally the terrorist attacks against UN workers and to stress our determination to help the Iraqi people," he said, as quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency.
"The United Nations will carry out its mandate and its work in Iraq. This is above all in the interests of the Iraqi people," he said. Bureau Report
Fedotov noted that Russia "actively backed the Security Council statement on Iraq."
Russia "believes it is important both to condemn unconditionally the terrorist attacks against UN workers and to stress our determination to help the Iraqi people," he said, as quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency.
"The United Nations will carry out its mandate and its work in Iraq. This is above all in the interests of the Iraqi people," he said. Bureau Report