Surely SH knows, as does Cheney-Bush :
A Bit Ambiguously, Russia Backs Iraq Over U.S. Threat
EXCERPT:
"After meeting with Mr. Sabri al-Hadithi, the Russian foreign minister, Igor
S. Ivanov, at a news conference with the Iraqi, repeated the Kremlin's
position that military action against Iraq "would seriously undermine the
already difficult situation in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East" and
make prospects for a permanent settlement of the region's problems even more
remote.
MR. IVANOV ALSO SAID RUSSIA HOPED THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL WOULD
NOT BE ASKED TO APPROVE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ, "SO THERE WILL BE NO
NEED FOR A RUSSIAN VETO."
"We are closely analyzing statements made by Washington to the effect that
there is no alternative to a military solution," Mr. Ivanov said. "We have
not found a single solid argument in those statements to the effect that
Iraq poses a threat to U.S. national security. These statements are
political."
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/03/international/europe/03RUSS.html
REFERENCE:
However, the item about Saddam's "mysterious apathy" in the face of Bush &
Co's speeches ...
Also, Debka says that several other defence preparations in Iraq are being
wound down rather than being accelerated. But I don't believe that Saddam
is necessarily in a state of depression or is apathetic, as Debka implies.
