Russia criticised the United States and Britain today for launching air attacks against Iraq by saying they hindered a settlement of the Iraqi crisis.
The Russian foreign ministry in a statement suggested the new US and British air raids in "no-fly zones" had been timed to coincide with talks in Vienna over procedures for allowing UN weapons inspectors back into Iraq.
"Anglo-American bombing raids in 'no-fly zones' not only deepen the complicated atmosphere around Iraq but create obstacles in the search for a political-diplomatic settlement of the Iraq question," the statement said.
Russia issued the statement two days after talks in Moscow in which Washington urged support for a tough new UN resolution on Iraq. Russian news agency reports, quoting unnamed sources, say the resolution cannot be implemented.
A senior US defense official today rejected as "completely invalid" Moscow's condemnation of the latest US and British air raids in Iraq.
US Under-secretary of Defence Mr Douglas Feith instead accused Iraq of "a very serious violation of its international responsibilities" for firing on aircraft enforcing the no-fly zone over the country.
"I don't think it makes any sense at all to suggest that, when we're performing an important legitimate mission contributing to peace and stability, we have to allow our aircraft and crews to be shot at by the Iraqis without response," said Mr Feith.