Moscow: Russian Foreign
Minister Igor Ivanov warned that the Iraq crisis could lead to
the establishment of a new world order, in an article
published today in the offical daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
"It is obvious that not only the fate of Iraq depends of
how events unfold, but also the future of international
relations for a long time," Ivanov wrote. "The foundation of
the future world order is the main issue at stake in this
crisis."
He said the unity of the US-led anti-terrorist coalition is
also threatened by the military intervention in Iraq as most
nations condemn the use of force to achieve the disarmament of
the regime of Saddam Hussein.
"It is not by accident that we are now witnessing
unprecedented anti-war demonstrations around the world,"
Ivanov wrote.
He said UN Resolution 1441, which called on Iraq to disarm
or face "serious consequences," did not mandate the automatic
use of force.
"The resolution of the Iraqi conflict lies with the
Security Council, which is responsible for ensuring peace and
security in the world.
Russia, along with fellow Security Council permanent
members China and France, led efforts to avoid the war,
arguing that Iraq could be disarmed of weapons of mass
destruction through increased UN inspections and diplomacy.
