France (la République française)
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IGOR IVANOV SPEAKS BY TELEPHONE TO US SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND FRENCH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN
Unofficial translation from Russian
PRESS RELEASE
Telephone conversations took place on October 22 between Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov, and US Secretary of State Colin Powell and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Dominique de Villepin. They discussed mainly the situation around Iraq.
The Ministers spoke in favor of continued efforts for a politico-diplomatic solution of the Iraq question on the basis of relevant UNSC resolutions and noted the importance of unity in the Security Council, primarily among its permanent members.
In relation to the preliminary consultations that have begun on the American draft UNSC resolution on Iraq, Ivanov reaffirmed that Russia is prepared to participate in the elaboration of a resolution which would be realistic and aimed at ensuring the efficient work of inspectors and would not contain any provisions opening the way to an automatic use of force. The American draft resolution so far does not meet these criteria. Russia is open for collective actions through the SC with a view to finding mutually acceptable solutions.
October 22, 2002