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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=22687571 The Times of India September 20, 2002 Inspections can tell if Iraq has banned weapons: Russia -"Being experienced in that sort of business, both Americans and Russians, we can easily establish whether there exists or not weapons of mass destruction technology, some sort of programmes or preparations of something which should not be done." -"It's not a question of trust or mistrust. It's a question of facts." WASHINGTON (AFP): Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Thursday that international inspections can "easily" establish whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Ivanov gave the assessment on his way into a meeting at the Pentagon with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as the US administration pressed Congress to authorise the use of force against Iraq. "Being experienced in that sort of business, both Americans and Russians, we can easily establish whether there exists or not weapons of mass destruction technology, some sort of programmes or preparations of something which should not be done," Ivanov said. Asked whether international inspectors could establish that, he told reporters: "I believe yes." Rumsfeld, who was escorting the Russian into the building, looked on as Ivanov was asked whether Iraq's offer of unconditional UN inspections could be trusted. "It's not a question of trust or mistrust. It's a question of facts," Ivanov said. Ivanov's views clashed with those of Rumsfeld, who, in testimony to Congress on Wednesday, questioned the value of even the most intrusive inspection regimes in disarming an unwilling and deceptive Iraq. President George W. Bush said on Thursday he was seeking a congressional resolution authorising the use of force against Baghdad. The draft resolution the White House was sending to Congress on Thursday would give the president "maximum flexibility," an administration official said. Rumsfeld said he assumed Congress would pass a resolution without waiting for UN actions. Baghdad this week divided the UN Security Council over the need for a tough, new resolution on Iraq by agreeing to UN arms inspections "without condition." Ivanov brushed off a question on why Russia opposed a new UN resolution on Iraq. "As for resolutions, it's none of my business whether we need one or not," he said. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
