This does not look good
Fri., Dec. 18, 1998 at: NY 11:51 a.m. Lon 4:51 p.m. Pra 5:51 p.m. Mos 7:51 p.m.
<<- Previous article || Next article ->>
Duma Urges Yeltsin to Drop Iraq Sanctions
MOSCOW, Dec. 18, 1998 -- (Reuters) Russia's Communist-dominated lower house of
parliament urged President Boris Yeltsin on Friday to unilaterally drop U.N. sanctions
against Iraq following U.S. and British air strikes.
The Duma overwhelmingly adopted a non-binding resolution also asking the government to
take immediate steps to resume full-scale economic and military cooperation with Iraq.
Kremlin and government officials were not immediately available for comment.
"The Duma urges the president to declare without delay that Russia is abandoning sanctions
introduced by U.N. Security Council resolution 687 of April 3, 1991 and other resolutions
because they were effectively trampled into the dust by the aggressive actions of the United
States and Britain," said the resolution, passed by 237 votes for and one against in the
450-seat chamber.
"The Duma also advises the president and the government to take all appropriate steps for a
prompt restoration of full-scale economic and military cooperation between Russia and Iraq,
which has fallen victim to the aggression," it added.
Russia's government, the president and parliament have shown a rare unity in denouncing
the U.S. and British air strikes against Iraq.
The government, which demands an immediate halt to the strikes, has recalled ambassadors
from Washington and London, but it has taken no other practical steps. Duma resolutions are
not binding on the government and are often ignored. ( (c) 1998 Reuters)
**In today's Moscow Tribune article, John Helmer lists 12 reasons why Russia is, still, the
best place to live. |
