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Press Release #6
February 12, 1998

The following was stated at the Russian Foreign Ministry press briefing on
February 12, 1998

Moscow noted the Washington Post's article of February 12, 1998, about an alleged "deal" struck between Moscow and Baghdad for the shipment of equipment to manufacture biological materials. It asserts that the true designation of this equipment could even be production of a biological weapon of mass destruction by Iraq.

The article, referring to unnamed sources, contains a tendentious attempt to cast doubt on impartiality of the Russian experts participating in the work of the UN Special Commission inspection groups. Using expressed hints the author tries to create an impression that the Russian members of the UN Special Commission act exclusively in the interests of Iraq, and transmit to Baghdad information about the commission's inspections plans and, thus, impede its effective activity.

We most resolutely reject such gross attacks which distort the actual reality. Russia had never made any deals with Iraq in violation of the existing regime of sanctions and has never delivered to that country, equipment or materials that can be used for prohibited purposes, be it in the biological or any other spheres.

In addition, we are seriously concerned over the fact that the correspondent of the Washington Post describes the relations of the UN Special Commission with the countries that send their experts to particiapte in inspections relying on the information which only the Special Commission could possess and which, under the existing regulations, is not subject to divulgence.

Moscow counts on the Special Commission leadership to provide appropriate repudiation regarding the above publication. Otherwise, an impression may be formed that this is being done to divert attention from the recommendation of the Extraordinary Session of the Special Commission to the SC leadership concerning the need for fundamental improvement of the commission's work.

Moscow
February 12, 1998

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