Russia's Putin wants UN resolution on Iraq before Madrid conference

[Spazito]

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) said he wanted a new UN resolution on Iraq (news - web sites) adopted before an October 23-24 Madrid conference is called to discuss financial aid for the war-ravaged country.


Putin said Thursday after summit talks with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in this Urals city that Russia was still pressing for a quick transfer of power from the US-appointed Governing Council to a freely elected Iraqi government.


"We would like to see the resolution voted on before the Madrid conference. This would serve as a good basis for the Madrid talks," Putin told reporters.


"Iraq needs huge investments, but these investments can only be used effectively after political rules are established" for the reconstruction of Iraq, said Putin.

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1514&e=6&u=/afp/iraq_un_russia_germany

[bif]

1. Don't hold your breath, Vladdy!

We won't be transferring power any time soon.

[KoKo]

2. Guess Putin's visit with Shrub at Camp David was pretty disastrous! I

I remember the press conference they gave, and Putin was dressed in black (looked like he was trying to made a statement) and shrub looked as mean as I've seen him. For all the back slapping and talking about "My Friend and looking into his eyes and seeing his soul," it doesn't seem that the feeling is reciprocated by Putin.

Anyone notice that Blair is the only one who seems to have been "charmed" by Bush at Camp David? The rest have apparently been so turned off they've done everything to distance themselves from Shrub's magic personality. Even his old buddy from Texas Days Vincente Fox won't come near him anymore!