Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1/29/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-298963

TITLE=U-N / IRAQ / RUSSIA (S)

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

INTRO: The United Nations Security Council is holding closed door consultations on the next steps in the Iraqi disarmament process, specifically whether U-N weapons inspectors should be given more time to do their job. As Nick Simeone reports, Russia remains unconvinced of the need for military action.

TEXT: Key Security Council member Russia says it still has seen no convincing evidence that Iraq is failing to cooperate with weapons inspections. President Bush said Tuesday that Iraq is showing utter contempt for the United Nations and may have to be disarmed by force.

Sergey Lavrov is Russia's ambassador to the United Nations.

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We have not seen any reason so far to undercut the inspections process.

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It would take 'convincing' evidence, he says, for Russia to adopt the U-S and British view that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is not cooperating with inspectors by continuing to hide banned weapons of mass destruction.

/// SECOND LAVROV ACT ///

We would like to see undeniable proof.

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U-S and British officials insist they have such proof. Secretary of State Colin Powell will come to the United Nations next week to provide new intelligence information try to persuade skeptics like Russia, France and China that Baghdad is deceiving the international community about its weapons programs. (SIGNED)

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