Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=02/07/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-299351

TITLE=RUSSIA / IRAQ (S-UPDATE)

BYLINE=REBECCA SANTANA

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES CR 2-299338 THROUGHOUT ///

INTRO: Russia's foreign minister says his country does not believe the U-N Security Council should pass a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq at this time. V-O-A's Rebecca Santana has more from Moscow.

TEXT: Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Friday, there is still time to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Iraq.

He said Russia does not see, in his words, any grounds for passing a U-N resolution that would envisage or open the road to the use of force against Iraq.

/// IVANOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, FADE UNDER ///

Mr. Ivanov said Russia fully supports the international inspectors, who are currently in Iraq trying to discover if Iraq still has weapons of mass destruction.

The Russian foreign minister also called on the Iraqi leadership to cooperate completely with the inspectors.

His comments come as U-S officials, including President Bush, are saying Iraq is nearly out of time to cooperate with weapons inspectors, and could face military action soon. (signed)

NEB/RS/AWP/TW/FC