Moscow, Apr 22: Renewing its stand on the issue of lifting UN sanctions against Iraq, Russia today said it is possible only after arms inspectors formally declare the country free of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). "The UN Security Council resolution on lifting sanctions on Iraq can be adopted only on the basis of report of Unmovic and IAEA inspectors," Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said.
Yakovenko reminded that "clarity" about presence or absence of WMD in Iraq is a condition for lifting sanctions and only weapons inspectors are authorised by the UNSC to give this answer. "Russia is in favour of lifting sanctions as soon as possible, but on the basis of implementation all the UNSC resolutions concerning Iraq's disarmament," he said. Bureau Report