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Print This StoryPutin Warns Against Attack On Iraq
Russian President: Situation Different From Afghanistan
POSTED: 3:06 p.m. EST February 11, 2002
UPDATED: 3:44 p.m. EST February 11, 2002
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday warned the United States against taking military action against Iraq.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal from the Kremlin, Putin said only the U.N. Security Council could sanction any attack against the Persian Gulf nation. Putin said the situation in Iraq is different from the anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan, which Russia has supported.
In his State of the Union Address last month, President George W. Bush referred to Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil," and several U.S. legislators have suggested Iraq could be next on the list of countries to be attacked in the anti-terrorism campaign.
"We oppose the drawing up of blacklists," Putin said.
Putin said that although Iraq presents a problem, "such problems cannot be solved by one country alone."
In a White House response hours later, press secretary Ari Fleischer said the United States won't have the support of all their allies all the time in the war on terrorism.
Fleischer said President Bush has made it clear that "different coalitions will be formed with different nations for different objectives," adding that Bush understands he will have the support of a "differing number" of nations on different issues.
Putin also reaffirmed Russia's partnership with the United States, calling the relationship the "natural and necessary" key to global stability. The two powers have reached "new level of trust," he said, one that "allows us, despite any differences or arguments on specific issues, to avoid confrontation."
Russia is Iraq's closest ally in the U.N. Security Council. Moscow has frequently tried to end the U.N. sanctions imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in the early 1990s and has protested U.S. and British airstrikes.
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From Department of Justice: In his State of the Union Address last month, President George W. Bush referred to Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil," and several U.S. legislators have suggested Iraq could be next on the list of countries to be attacked in the anti-terrorism campaign.
"We oppose the drawing up of blacklists," Putin said.
Putin said that although Iraq presents a problem, "such problems cannot be solved by one country alone."
In a White House response hours later, press secretary Ari Fleischer said the United States won't have the support of all their allies all the time in the war on terrorism.
Fleischer said President Bush has made it clear that "different coalitions will be formed with different nations for different objectives," adding that Bush understands he will have the support of a "differing number" of nations on different issues.
Putin also reaffirmed Russia's partnership with the United States, calling the relationship the "natural and necessary" key to global stability. The two powers have reached "new level of trust," he said, one that "allows us, despite any differences or arguments on specific issues, to avoid confrontation."
Russia is Iraq's closest ally in the U.N. Security Council. Moscow has frequently tried to end the U.N. sanctions imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in the early 1990s and has protested U.S. and British airstrikes.Copyright 2002 by NewsNet5.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
