| MOSCOW, March 14, 2003. In the next few days Russia
will take "unexpected steps" regarding the situation in
Iraq, claims Grigory
Yavlinsky, the leader of the YABLOKO party. Yavlinsky made this
prediction yesterday in a speech to students from the Moscow State
Institute of International Relations. In all likelihood, the unexpected
steps will see Russia abstain in the UN vote and not use its UN
Security Council veto against the resolution on Iraq proposed by
the US, said Yavlinsky.
"The Russian leadership has recently begun to understand
that vetoing this resolution would be counterproductive to Russia
in all respects," stated Yavlinsky. He expressed his conviction
that the Russian President would soon take a decision to this
effect.
According to Yavlinsky, Russia should not in any circumstance
use its veto in the forthcoming vote: "If we adopt this veto
we will find ourselves totally isolated and will destroy everything
achieved in international relations since September 11, 2001."
The YABLOKO leader said that preserving unity between Europe and
America and unity within Europe itself were currently one of Russia's
most important national interests. Yavlinsky believes that the
Russia-Germany-France triangle is an illusion. "Europe is
married to the US, and they have children together. Of course,
Europe may commit adultery with Russia, but by the evening everything
will revert to normal and Russia will find itself sidelined again,
like a discarded lover," added Yavlinsky.
See also:
Situation
Around Iraq
|
