HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/2002093002561400.htm The Hindu September 30, 2002 Russia rejects U.N. draft resolution By Vladimir Radyuhin -Moscow feels that the Georgian leader has overplayed his hand, trying to sap Russia's influence in the Caucasus and provide a foothold for American presence in the region. If Mr. Shevardnadze loses power to a leader more loyal to Moscow, this would prevent the Americanisation of the Caucasus and delay, if not bury, the construction of the Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline heavily lobbied by Washington to deny Russia control over oil exports from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. MOSCOW SEPT. 29. Russia has rejected the U.S.-British draft of a Security Council resolution on Iraq threatening Baghdad with military action if it fails to comply with U.N. inspection demands. Speaking after talks with the U. S. and British envoys, Marc Grossman and Peter Ricketts, in Moscow on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, made it clear Moscow was in favour of fulfilling the existing U.N. resolutions on Iraq. Russia is strongly opposed to a planned U.S. attack on Iraq, which is expected to hurt its economic interests. However, aware of Russia's inability to stop the showdown in the Persian Gulf the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is working hard to minimise the damage and, with luck, to consolidate the gains he won during the U. S.-led war in Afghanistan. By providing valuable intelligence and military assistance to the U. S. in its campaign against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda Mr. Putin positioned Russia as a key U. S. partner in the global anti-terrorist coalition and restored Russia 's role as a key player in world affairs. Mr. Putin is expected to discuss Iraq with the U. S. President, George W. Bush, when they meet twice in October on the sidelines of Mr. Putin's visit to Mexico and an Asian economic forum. The Russian leader has already set out his terms for the deal on Iraq. Moscow will mute its opposition to the attack in exchange for the Washington 's recognition of Russia's vital interests in the former Soviet states and in countries Washington has dubbed "evil.'' Mr. Putin's threat to flush out Chechen rebels from their bases in neighbouring Georgia, pointedly aired on September 11, sent a clear message to Washington: "If you feel free to pursue your global interests under the anti-terrorist banner, we will do the same in our zone of strategic interests.'' Russia's true target in Georgia is not Chechen rebels, who are mostly based in Chechnya anyway, but the regime of the President, Eduard Shevardnadze. Moscow feels that the Georgian leader has overplayed his hand, trying to sap Russia's influence in the Caucasus and provide a foothold for American presence in the region. If Mr. Shevardnadze loses power to a leader more loyal to Moscow, this would prevent the Americanisation of the Caucasus and delay, if not bury, the construction of the Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline heavily lobbied by Washington to deny Russia control over oil exports from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.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 ==^================================================================
