United Press International - December 17, 1998 14:35
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(UPI Focus) Russia outraged by attack on Iraq
MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (UPI) - Russian politicians from across the political
spectrum have expressed shock and outrage over airstrikes against Iraq
by the United States and Britain despite Moscow's firm opposition to
such action and last-minute attempts to rally the U.N. Security Council
to block the use of force against Baghdad.
The Kremlin and the Communist-dominated State Duma, which oppose each
other on most issues, today were united in their condemnation of the
military action against Iraq.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov
(''yehv-GAY-nee pree-muh-KAWF''), and Communist and nationalist
legislators voiced their anger and issued strong verbal attacks on the
U.S.
Yeltsin, who reportedly spent a sleepless night calling French
President Jacques Chirac and other world leaders, said his reaction was
one of ''indignation and deep anxiety.'' He called the attack
''unacceptable.''
The Russian leader rushed to the Kremlin to meet with his military
advisers and said in a statement that ''such a development evokes our
most serious concern, our deepest anxiety.''
Yeltsin said the bombings unravel ''years of hard work...toward the
dismantlement of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and delivery
systems.''
Yeltsin marshalled his diplomats in Moscow and at the U.N. in an
attempt to halt the bombardment, but as a second air strike hit Iraqi
targets, the despair and anger in Moscow increased.
In an ominous warning to Washington, the Russian General Staff
ordered an alert in sereval naval and air force units.
A brief statement issued by the General Staff said an ''increased
state of preparedness'' had been ordered because of the continuing
situation in the Persian Gulf and Iraq, and the units were to stand by,
awaiting ''further orders from the commander-in-chief.''
Prime Minister Primakov said he is shocked by the attack. He said the
strike ''has not been provoked by Iraq and is on the U.S.
administration's conscience.''
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov (''EE-gore ee-vah-NAWF'')
accused the U.S. and Britain of violating the U.N. charter by bombing
Iraq.
Ivanov said the ''system of international security has been
endangered'' by Washington's disregard for the opinions of other
Security Council members.
The Russian Foreign Ministry today summoned the U.S. and British
ambassadors to voice Moscow's extreme displeasure and demand an
immediate end to military action against Iraq.
U.S. Ambassador James Collins and British Ambassador Sir Andrew Wood
met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin (''gree-GORE-ee
kah-RAH-seen''), who reportedly lashed out at Washington and London.
Going beyond statements of indignation, Russian legislators decided
to postpone hearings on ratification of the START-II nuclear disarmament
treaty, planned for today.
The hearings have been postponed several times, and both the Kremlin
and the White House had hoped ratification could be agreed on before the
new year.
The action against Iraq has completely changed the mood in
parliament, with centrist lawmakers suggesting the hearings may be held
in January or even later.
Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov (''ghen-NAH-dee zoo-GAH-nawf'')
said the hearings should be taken off the agenda and the Russian arms
budget should be increased.
Reviving terms not heard since the Cold War, Zyuganov called for the
creation of a ''global front against war-mongers,'' consisting of Russia, China, France, Germany, Arab states and others who
today
condemned the U.S.-British attack on Iraq.
Zyuganov called for an immediate end to sanctions against all
countries, saying Russia should now press for a lifting of sanctions
imposed against Iraq, Cuba and Libya.
The Communist leader also said Russian lawmakers should consider the
prospect of Russian military and other aid to Iraq if the attacks
continue.
Ultra-nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky (''vlah-DEE-meer zhee-
ree-NOV-skee''), known for his extreme statements, called Clinton an
international terrorist and said the U.S. bombing of Iraq was just the
beginning, adding, ''We will be next.'' |
