Iraq has promised to reward Russia with substantial oil deals in response to Moscow’s recent veto delaying a U.N. Security council vote on sanctions against Iraq.
The new Smart Sanctions proposal aims to reduce restrictions on humanitarian goods such as food and medicine paid for by Iraqi oil revenues, while at the same time increasing restrictions on military equipment.
Iraq expressed pleasure at Russia’s use of its veto power against the Smart Sanctions, which was supposedly used as a means to pressure the United States on such issues as missile. Russia called for the removal of all U.N. imposed sanctions on the country.
Some time ago, Iraq reportedly requested that Russia veto the sanctions in return for promises of continued cooperation in joint oil projects.
Despite the fact that Iraq did not protest China’s approval of the Smart Sanctions, is did express outrage over France’s support of the proposed plan, threatening to cut France’s oil supplies. –(MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
