Russia Seeks Safety for Embassy in Iraq

[hedgetrimmer]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2901693,00.html

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Sunday July 13, 2003 3:29 AM


MOSCOW (AP) - The United States should guarantee the safety of Russian diplomats in Iraq and give the Russian mission there full diplomatic recognition, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

The ministry statement came after U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow reportedly said Washington does not consider the Russian Embassy in Iraq a diplomatic mission and cannot accept responsibility for the staff's safety.

Vershbow also was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying the United States considers it unwise for other countries to set up diplomatic missions in Iraq because there is no Iraqi government at this stage.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said, ``This position is far from irreproachable in light of international legal norms and universally recognized diplomatic practices.''

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[hedgetrimmer]

1. additional link : Moscow concerned by U.S. refusal to ensure safety of

Moscow concerned by U.S. refusal to ensure safety of diplomats in Iraq

http://www.moscowtimes.ru/doc/HotNews.html#41344

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Saturday, Jul. 12, 2003, 4:19 PM Moscow Time

MOSCOW. July 12 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow's remarks that the United States does not consider the Russian Embassy in Baghdad a diplomatic mission and assumes no responsibility for the personnel's safety.
"This position is far from flawless in light of international legal norms and the generally acknowledged diplomatic practice," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
"The 1961 Vienna convention clearly stipulates that diplomatic relations are established between countries. Since the current occupation of Iraq does not influence the existence of Iraq as a country, its diplomatic relations with Russia are continued. The diplomats accredited in Iraq who are staying in its territory and outside it have not lost their diplomatic status in the country," he said.
"Furthermore, the UN Security Council Resolution No 1483 stipulates that although the internationally-recognized government of Iraq is yet to be set up, the occupying powers are to continue carrying out the duties and commitments consistent with the pertinent international legal norms," the statement reads.

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