Vremya Novostei
February 12, 2003
US AMBASSADOR: IN THEORY, SADDAM HUSSEIN MAY RETAIN POWER
An interview with US Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow
Author: Andrei Zlobin
[from WPS Monitoring Agency, www.wps.ru/e_index.html]
THE IRAQ SITUATION IS NOW EXTREMELY TENSE. WASHINGTON'S STATEMENTS
ARE SOUNDING MORE AND MORE LIKE DECLARATIONS OF WAR. US AMBASSADOR TO
RUSSIA ALEXANDER VERSHBOW DISCUSSES THE CHANCES OF RESOLVING THIS
CONFLICT PEACEFULLY.
The Iraq situation is now extremely tense. Washington's
statements are sounding more and more like declarations of war. Is war
inevitable? We interviewed US Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow
on this topic.
Alexander Vershbow: President Bush says that Saddam Hussein has a
choice: he may stop his lies that have gone on for 12 years. He should
cooperate with UN inspectors and provide them with all the necessary
information about programs for creating weapons of mass destruction.
In other words, Iraq should show it is ready to disarm, like Ukraine
and the South African Republic. Saddam Hussein should act as a
partner, not as an enemy. Saddam Hussein wants the international
community to believe that he has destroyed 28,000 liters of anthrax
cultures, 3,000 liters of botulism cultures, and thousands of tons of
chemical poisons. But he is not a person to trust.
Question: What will happen if Saddam Hussein displays documents
certifying that he has destroyed these substances? Would that help him
retain power?
Vershbow: Theoretically, it would. If Saddam Hussein voluntarily
consents to disarm, this would mean an automatic change of the regime
- and would save his nation from suffering. But such a metamorphosis
is hardly possible. He is more interested in holding on to his power.
Question: The US military operation against the Taliban, which
sheltered Al Qaida, was supported around the world. Why isn't the
operation against Iraq supported in the same way?
Vershbow: The international support for the probable military
action is increasing. More and more leaders are coming to understand
that the authority of the UN Security Council is under threat. And
more and more people are coming to understand that Saddam Hussein does
not intend to disarm, and this threatens the whole world. Turkey has
supported the plans of the US and the coalition. European countries
have signed a letter of support for the military action. Even the
announcements of France have new aspects: Paris may support military
action if necessary.
Question: Aren't the weapons of mass destruction hidden in Iraq
less dangerous than the upcoming war?
Vershbow: That is a disputable issue, since this is not black and
white. Any war is fraught with great risk, not only for the military.
However, Saddam Hussein's support for international terrorism and his
atrocities in governing Iraq over the past 30 years do not permit us
to wait any longer. Besides, 15 countries voted for Resolution No.
1441. The resolution requires disarmament, not only international
inspections. If Saddam Hussein keeps on ignoring the requirements of
UN resolutions, any state would be able to ignore UN resolutions in
the future. This will be a serious blow to Russia as well, as a
permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Question: Will Russia's economic interests suffer after the
operation?
Vershbow: We respect Russia's economic interests in Iraq and take
them into account. But we cannot give any specific guarantees, since
it is the new government of Iraq that will decide such issues. Our
position is based on equal conditions for all participants.
Question: Are Russian and American companies holding talks on
dividing the future Iraqi market?
Vershbow: I don't think there are any secret negotiations on this
issue. However, taking into account the developing cooperation between
Russia and the US in the energy sphere, joint development of Iraqi
projects is quite possible.
Question: Will the Iraqi model be applied to North Korea?
Vershbow: We don't work out any models. Any threat to
international security should be eliminated, and its specific traits
should be taken into account. Saddam Hussein is a special threat. But
there may be some other situations when it will be necessary to
prevent figures like Saddam Hussein from threatening the international
community. We still believe in a political resolution of the crisis in
North Korea, but we won't tolerate blackmail. We have announced on
more than one occasion that we have no plans to intervene in North
Korea. However, as Secretary of State Colin Powell said, nothing can
be ruled out if Pyongyang does not wish to resolve the crisis
peacefully. But despite Pyongyang's provoking demeanor, we still
believe that it is not as dangerous as Baghdad. It is necessary that
North Korea should follow the nonproliferation treaty and receive IAAE
inspectors.
Question: Recently, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage
announced that the US would not protest if Russia delivered pre- emptive
strikes at guerrilla bases. Did he mean bases in Georgia? Did
he make this announcement in order to soften Russia's position
regarding Iraq?
Vershbow: Armitage's words have been interpreted in a singular
way. He said that pre-emptive strikes may sometimes be part of US
policy. As for the Georgian issue, he expressed his hope that it will
be possible to reach an agreement between Moscow and Tbilisi by
peaceful methods. Powell has cited some evidence that Al Qaida is
linked with some forces in the Caucasus.
Question: Does this mean that Washington may include Chechen
guerrillas on its list of terrorist organizations?
Vershbow: The decision about including some Chechen gangs on this
list is to be made very soon.
Question: You worked in Moscow in the Soviet era. When was it
more interesting: then or now?
Vershbow: Of course, it's more interesting in Moscow now...
Russia's present policy regarding the US is more consistent. Of
course, we have some disagreements, and we are discussing them
actively. And when differences do arise, Russia's political leaders
always try to come to some consensus. Soviet policy was also fairly
consistent, but in terms of being difficult and confrontational.
Question: How will you name the chapter of your future memoirs
devoted to Moscow?
Vershbow: I would title it "A Delightful Surprise", since this is
the most interesting period in Russia's history. The rapid changes in
Russian-American relations astound anyone who, like me, took Soviet
politics and Soviet studies in college.
(Translated by Kirill Frolov)
Serbian News Network - SNN
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.antic.org/
