Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=2/26/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA / GERMANY / IRAQ (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-300092

BYLINE=LISA MCADAMS

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The leaders of Russia and Germany held talks in Moscow late Wednesday and confirmed their opposition to a draft United Nations resolution that could pave the way for war with Iraq. Lisa McAdams has this report from the Russian capital.

TEXT: In his first public comments on the resolution since it was put before the Security Council earlier this week, President Putin said Russia is ready to talk to its U-N colleagues, but not to fight.

He also said Russia believes the draft is, in his words, a bad solution.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder took a similar line with reporters. Mr. Schroeder said Germany still believes the stand-off with Iraq can be resolved peacefully. But he says the outcome depends greatly on Iraq.

Both leaders again urged Baghdad to cooperate with all U-N demands.

Germany, which currently chairs the U-N Security Council, has worked closely with France and Russia to avert military action, favoring an expanded weapons inspection process instead.

Separately, President Putin agreed to a German request to allow German military convoys to transit through Russian territory on their way to peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. (Signed)

NEB/LAM/RH/FC