Putin Blasts US War In Iraq: No Western or Russian reporters were allowed to attend the Baker-Putin meeting - highlighting their sensitivity.
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Only hours before Baker's arrival, Putin used a live question-and-answer session with Russian television viewers to issue some of his most stinging criticism of the Iraqi war to date.
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"The use of force abroad, according to existing international laws, can only be sanctioned by the United Nations. This is the international law. Everything that is done without the UN Security Council's sanction cannot be recognised as fair or justified," said Putin.
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"I am being as restrained as I can be when I choose these words," Putin added.
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Putin described the United States as a partner but also stressed firmly that the Iraqi campaign should not be lumped in with the broader international war on terrorism - as Washington is doing.
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"We do not want the United States to lose their war on terrorism. We are US partners in the fight against terrorism," Putin said.
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"But as for Iraq, this is a separate matter. There were no international terrorists under Hussein. This is a separate problem," said Putin.
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He also suggested that the United States may be showing over-confidence on the international scene and warned that "empires" had fallen before from feeling too strong and using their military might indiscriminately.
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His comments came days after Moscow warned Washington that its decision to hog Iraq reconstruction projects was "unacceptable" and began to waver on the issue of debt.
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Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said last week that Iraq was a "rich nation" that was capable of handling its debt burden because of its vast oil reserves.
�
Only hours before Baker's arrival, Putin used a live question-and-answer session with Russian television viewers to issue some of his most stinging criticism of the Iraqi war to date.
�
"The use of force abroad, according to existing international laws, can only be sanctioned by the United Nations. This is the international law. Everything that is done without the UN Security Council's sanction cannot be recognised as fair or justified," said Putin.
�
"I am being as restrained as I can be when I choose these words," Putin added.
�
Putin described the United States as a partner but also stressed firmly that the Iraqi campaign should not be lumped in with the broader international war on terrorism - as Washington is doing.
�
"We do not want the United States to lose their war on terrorism. We are US partners in the fight against terrorism," Putin said.
�
"But as for Iraq, this is a separate matter. There were no international terrorists under Hussein. This is a separate problem," said Putin.
�
He also suggested that the United States may be showing over-confidence on the international scene and warned that "empires" had fallen before from feeling too strong and using their military might indiscriminately.
�
His comments came days after Moscow warned Washington that its decision to hog Iraq reconstruction projects was "unacceptable" and began to waver on the issue of debt.
�
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said last week that Iraq was a "rich nation" that was capable of handling its debt burden because of its vast oil reserves.