Russia's Putin defends decision not to send troops, aid to Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20031017/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_un_russia&cid=1514&ncid=1473

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin defended his decision not send troops or aid to Iraq by saying that the new UN resolution fell short of defining a clear role for the world governing body in resolving the conflict.

"This resolution elevates the role of the United Nations, but it still fails to create clearly defined conditions for the UN's participation in the peace process," Putin said Friday in his first remarks on the resolution passed Thursday in New York.

Russia gave up its reservations about the US-sponsored draft at the last minute and the resolution was approved by a unanimous 15-0 UN Security Council vote.

But Putin said he and the leaders of Germany and France -- who all opposed the war -- decided not to answer US appeals for financial aid and troops because they felt their own concerns about the best way to resolve the conflict had not been taken into fair account.

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[hadrons]

1. so basically Dumbya got some nice looking toilet paper ....

all the countries saying they were looking for an UN resolution will now be making new excuses not to join the fun in Iraq

[Homer12]

2. If you wear Bush goggles, this resolution is a major dimplomacy victory.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. ___ Doesn't this move negate the power of the UN ? ___

. . Doesn't this move sort of negate the Power/Usefullness of the UN?

It appears the decision was made in the spirit of an Adult dealing with a problem child that they just got tired of argueing with

And that's NOT a good basis for making ANY decision

Just My Humble Canadian Opinion

[NNN0LHI]

5. It seems to me that the UN is in the process of uniting against the USA

And the hell of it is, I can't blame them. We are really screwed.

Don

[Flying_Pig]

7. Me thinks you are right about that Don. If Putin puts his oil on the

Euro, we're doomed. Our economy will crash. If Russia does this, and if Bush pisses off the ME countries anymore than he already has, and they go Euro, we're screwed, because the Saudis would probably pull their investments here, totaling around $ TWO TRILLION. There's ways for the UN, and Russia, and the ME, to really hurt us, and unless we get rid of Bush soon, I think they will no longer hold back.

[Spazito]

4. I think passing this resolution puts Bush in a very tight box...

because he cannot whine that the UN is at fault for the mess, after all, they supported the US resolution, didn't they? Bush still has the mess solely in his hands and to get any more help, he will have to go BACK to the UN with a better resolution. It is a win/win for the UN and a lose/lose for Bush, imo.

[Unknown Known]

6. It's all about quid pro quo

This is the first resolution in what will be a whole string of resolutions on Iraq and it's all based on greasing the palms, so to speak.

It took some bribery to get France, Germany and Russia to sign this first resolution which is basically saying OK, we accept that US is occupying Iraq and we may possibly give you some help later (when you give us something back).

Putin was just in NY at the opening of new Lukoil gas stations. A French IT company was given a contract to work on Iraq's IT infrastructure. I'm sure some German company has been given something also.

There are many deals going on behind the scenes. It's all about business & economics. Nothing else.

Like Deep Throat said, "Just follow the money." That's where you'll get your answers.