RUSSIA: Russia said yesterday it might back a tougher line against President Saddam Hussein if Baghdad obstructed UN inspectors in their search for chemical and biological weapons.
"If Iraq starts hampering [the work of inspectors\] I do not exclude the fact that Russia could change its position. We are ready to work towards different solutions. I am not saying which, but they could get tougher than before," said President Vladimir Putin.
However he also insisted that the inspection team be given more time to complete its work, and that any decision on supplementary action against Iraq be channelled through the UN Security Council, where Russia holds a veto.
"As of today, they [the inspectors\] are not saying they have had any difficulties or problems. We should give them the opportunity to work," Mr Putin told students at Kiev University at the start of a visit to Ukraine. "I don't think that political and diplomatic steps have been exhausted."
Mr Putin's speech came amid a flurry of Russian diplomatic activity aimed at heading off any possible unilateral action against Baghdad by Washington, which has made clear its dwindling patience with President Saddam and the UN inspection team.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Igor Ivanov, urged Iraq to "listen very seriously to the recommendations that were voiced on Monday", referring to the report to the Security Council by chief UN arms inspector Dr Hans Blix.
Earlier he told US television network NBC that unilateral action against Iraq could destroy international co-operation in what Washington called the "war on terror".
Mr Ivanov also cast doubts on the US assessment of the danger posed by President Saddam.
"None of \ neighbouring states say that there is any threat originating in Iraq.
"It is said that Iraq is a threat to the United States. But we do not see any serious, weighty argument that could demonstrate today that Iraq represents a real threat to the United States."
Russia has maintained close ties with Iraq during its time in the diplomatic wilderness after the 1991 Gulf war, with one eye on favourable oil drilling rights as eventual payback once sanctions are lifted. Baghdad also owes Moscow some $8 billion in Soviet-era debt.
Now Russia's politicians and hugely-influential oilmen fear that major US oil companies could move into a post-Saddam Iraq and exploit its oil reserves without Moscow's involvement.
