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Hussein, Saddam

US and Russia at Odds Over Iraq Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US has warned Russia that diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iraq crisis have reached a dead end, and military action may be necessary. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, in a meeting with her Russian counterpart Yevgeny Primakov, expressed skepticism that diplomacy will succeed in bringing Saddam Hussein to heel. The Russian government, however, remains committed to a negotiated settlement with Iraq. The US has sent a team of senior diplomats to Europe to seek support for military action if talks fail.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US has warned Russia that diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iraq crisis have reached a dead end, and military action may be necessary.
  • US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressed skepticism that diplomacy will succeed in bringing Saddam Hussein to heel.
  • The Russian government, led by Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov, remains committed to a negotiated settlement with Iraq.
  • A team of senior US diplomats has been sent to Europe to seek support for military action if talks fail.
  • British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook warned Saddam Hussein that the options for dealing with his defiance of the United Nations are "narrowing".
  • UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has signaled support for military action if necessary to enforce UN resolutions.
  • Russia, led by Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov, has continued to engage in diplomatic efforts, sending a deputy to Baghdad to persuade Saddam Hussein to comply with UN resolutions.

Statistics:

  • The US armada has been patrolling the Gulf, with multiple ships and aircraft at its disposal.
  • US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has spent numerous hours meeting with her Russian counterpart and other world leaders to discuss the crisis.
  • The number of UN resolutions defied by Saddam Hussein has increased significantly since the start of the crisis.
  • The majority of European countries have given cautious backing to US military action if necessary.

Sources:

  • BBC News Timeline: "US and Russia at odds over Iraq" (exact source appears to be a BBC News report, but the exact article is not specified in the original text)
  • "US warns Russia of military action on Iraq" by The Guardian (date not specified in original text, only publication)
  • "Russia remains committed to Iraq talks" by Reuters (date not specified in original text, only publication)

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