Egyptian-Russian discussions over Iraqi crisis

Egyptian aid to the Foreign Minister for the Middle East and Arab affairs Ambassador Sayed Abu Zayed met today with the Ambassador of Russia Vladamir Godeiv.

The Egyptian ambassador stated that he discussed with the Russian ambassador developments in the Iraqi crisis with the UN inspection team. He said the Russian ambassador conveyed his country's stance towards this crisis and the steps taken by Russia to improve the climate between Iraq and the inspection team.

The two officials also tackled developments in the Middle East peace process and the meetings that are currently being held in Washington.

The Russian ambassador said Russia had submitted a proposal to send a Russian expert to participate in the inspection team's activities. He added that the two officials discussed another Russian proposal to assign a Russian reconnaissance plane to replace the US-owned U-2 plane the UN is currently using and to which Iraq has objected.

The Russian ambassador said those proposals were not submitted upon Iraq's request, but go along with the Iraqi position and with the position of other countries such as China and France.