15.08.2000
IN THE PAST FEW DAYS AIRCRAFT OF THE U.S. AND BRITISH AIR FORCES HAVE DELIVERED AIRSTRIKES AT THE CITY OF SAMAWA IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ ¹ 763
763-15-8-2000Unofficial translation from Russian
STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN MINISTRY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
In the past few days aircraft of the U.S. and British air forces have delivered airstrikes at the city of Samawa in the south of Iraq. As a result, there have been casualties among peaceful civilians. In addition to residential houses, food warehouses and humanitarian relief distribution centers were destroyed.The Russian Foreign Ministry considers these actions unlawful from the point of view of international law. They must be stopped immediately.
The destruction of food supply facilities affects first of all ordinary Iraqis, who are experiencing colossal privations as it is due to the sanctions regime. This also undermines international efforts aimed at alleviating the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the country within the framework of the respective corresponding U.N. program.
Strikes at Iraqi territory only increase tension in the region. This is happening at a time when the international community is growing increasingly convinced of the need to step up the efforts to settle the Iraqi problem by political and diplomatic methods.
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
