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Ruskie Hassles Condi Over Weasel Words
Talks between the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov grew heated in Moscow when the question was raised of addressing the Iraq issue in the final G-8 declaration.  "Look, Condi, Condi," Russia's chief diplomat was heard to plead with Rice, when someone forgot to switch off the microphones during a G-8 lunch. Rice was apparently angry at Lavrov's rejection of one of her proposals. May I propose a swift knee into Sirgay's groin? For some 20 minutes of discussion, she and Lavrov, both speaking English, were practically the only ones to intervene, and their exchanges were occasionally quite animated. The passage referring to "the barbarian killing of five members of the Russian embassy in Iraq" was the first point of discord, as Rice objected to the last phrase of the resolution which lays out that "urgent measures are taken to provide security for diplomats." "It implies they are not being taken and you know on a fairly daily basis we lose soldiers and I think it would be offensive to suggest that these efforts are not being made," she told Lavrov before pointing out that diplomats are not the only victims of violence in Iraq. Lavrov in his turn assured that he did not intend any insult and thanked Americans and Canadians for their efforts on behalf of the diplomats kidnapped and killed this week. However, "the Iraqi interior ministry should pay more attention to the safety of foreign missions," he noted, adding that "if you feel uncomfortable about it, maybe we should make it shorter, saying there is a need for improved security for diplomatic missions." "Sergei, there is a need for improvement of security in Iraq, period!" the secretary of state retorted sharply. "The problem isn't diplomatic missions." Lavrov tried to interrupt, but Rice would not let him. "I understand that in the wake of the brutal murder of your diplomats it is a sensitive time, but I think that we can't imply that this is an isolated problem or that it isn't being addressed," she added. A third minister -- apparently Canada's Peter Mackay -- suggested a compromise formula which is then accepted, the final version reading "this tragic event stresses the importance of improving security for everyone in Iraq." Lavrov then demanded to strike out the term "convention" in a paragraph referring to international aid to Iraq, alluding in passing to intervention of some countries he would not name into Iraq's political process. "What does that mean?" demanded Rice, piqued. "I think you understand," Lavrov answered after a long pause. "No, I don't," was the curt reply. The debate went on in a less heated tone, Rice proposing that the final text includes a "concept" for an international convention without immediately defining the content, adding that this would "provide momentum" for the idea. The European Union's high representative on foreign policy, Javier Solana, approved, and European ministers as well as Lavrov accepted the compromise formula. The final document says that the ministers "call on the international community... to respond to this new era in Iraq's development by giving great support to the new Iraqi government and its people, including response to the Iraqi government's proposal of an international convention." US President George W. Bush said earlier this month that his administration will press leaders in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to boost support for Iraq's fledgling government. Posted by: Captain America 2006-06-30 |
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