Fruitful American- Russian talks concerning Iraq

American officials in Geneva on Thursday said they held a "fruitful" round of talks with Russian official concerning the elevation of sanctions imposed on the Iraqi citizens before the end of May this year, while the White House renewed its assertion that George Bush has not taken yet a decision concerning the next American steps towards Iraq.

A statement issued by the US under secretary of state for elimination of weapons John Wolf, who presided over the US delegation said:" we have settled many issues and each of us studies the answers of the other side on other matters," noting that no main issues are under disputes between the two sides.

The talks were held at the premises of the Russian mission to the UN in Geneva on Thursday and Wednesday. No comment was made by the Russian side concerning the content of the talks. The two sides, which held similar talks in Moscow in December 2001, re expected to be meeting in February.

Both the US and Russia are discussing re-considering the sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990.

The UN Security Council approved revision of the sanctions on May 30, 2002.