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Wednesday, Sep 19, 2007
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Russia warns against attacking Iran

Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW: Russia has warned against the use of military force against Iran and criticised Western sanctions imposed on Tehran outside the United Nations.

“We are worried about increasingly frequent reports that military action against Iran is being seriously considered,” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner here on Tuesday.

“It’s hard to imagine what that could do to the region where there are already grave problems in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Mr. Lavrov strongly backed the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran’s nuclear programme.

“Russia is against attempts to pressure the U.N. Security Council to go beyond agreed support for IAEA,” the Russian Minister said, adding that the U.N. nuclear watchdog was “satisfied” with Iran’s progress in complying with IAEA’s demands.

He echoed the U.N. nuclear chief ElBaradei in urging the West to learn the lessons of Iraq.

“No military solution”

“We are convinced that no modern problem has a military solution, and that applies to the Iranian nuclear programme as well,” Mr. Lavrov said.

“We know the consequences of ignoring the professional view of IAEA in Iraq four years ago.”

He criticised the idea of unilateral sanctions by the E.U. or the United States.

“If we agreed to work collectively and that is reflected in consensus decisions made by the U.N. Security Council, then what purpose do unilateral sanctions serve?” he said.

Mr. Kouchner climbed down on his earlier statement that the world should prepare for war in Iran.

“The worst thing to happen would be a war, and in order to avoid it, we need to talk, talk and talk,” he said, shifting the emphasis of his previous statement and calling for more sanctions against Iran.

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