What Russia Is Really Saying: 'Take Us Into Account'

[nodular]

Raghida Dergham al-Hayat - 16/02/07//

http://english.daralhayat.com/opinion/OPED/02-2007/Article-20070216-ca3f244b-c0a8-10ed-00c6-0c1af3516ec3/story.html


A number of interesting ideas about the possibility of Russia playing a constructive role in the Middle East, with US cooperation. This is an Arabic source, but I am not familiar with it.

"New York - A number of opportunities lie before Russian diplomacy in the days and weeks ahead to consolidate its role in the Middle East in line with the wishes expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his historic visit this week to Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar and Jordan. There is an Arab welcome of Moscow's positive role, as there is a US emphasis on the importance of a partnership with Russia in the diplomatic efforts directed at Iran.

"Hence, Russia is liable to assume a leading role in convincing Tehran that its higher and sustainable interests lie in consolidating Iran's standing exclusively within its borders, rather than extending its 'tentacles' to manipulate Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon...

"...On the Iranian front, there was a broad consensus over all the UN Security Council resolution aimed at Iran and taken by the (3+3) group, including the three European nations - Britain, France and Germany - in addition to Russia, China and the US. These decisions included the last resolution issued by virtue of the compulsory Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which subjected Iran to the system of sanctions in case of any refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment as demanded by previous resolutions.

"The agreement reached by these six nations over North Korea's nuclear file proves that the relationship between the US, Russia and China is not confrontational in nature, although it has reached the level of a clash during negotiations dealing with different files, especially within the UN."