Moscow - Russia yesterday welcomed the withdrawal of a British-US proposal to alter UN sanctions against Iraq, but said it could not accept a British attempt to call for further discussion of the proposed changes.
A Foreign Ministry statement said Russia was ready to support a UN Security Council resolution renewing existing sanctions following the withdrawal of the proposal to introduce "smart sanctions" on Iraq. The Security Council last night voted unanimously to extend the UN's humanitarian programme in Iraq for five months. --(AFP)
Iraq's deputy permanent representative at the UN, Mr Mohammed al-Humaimidi, has asked the US for asylum for himself and his family, Iraqi opposition and diplomatic sources said yesterday.
