Deputies from the YABLOKO faction of the State Duma think that it is still possible to resolve the Iraqi crisis without war. To achieve this goal, Russia should take the initiative and propose that the international community station in the country a considerable international contingent of military forces prepared to engage in military action at any moment. This would render the work of the UN inspectors really efficient and would in time lead to regime change. Implementation of such a plan would also eliminate the contradictions within the international community.

The members of the YABLOKO faction submitted their proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Igor Ivanov during his visit to the State Duma on February 18, 2003.

The second large issue discussed at the meeting concern the prospects for visa-free entry into Europe for Russian citizens. YABLOKO once again confirmed their view that this would be correct and that this could be achieved by Russia. The deputies of the YABLOKO faction also expressed their readiness to provide political support to steps here.

Other issues discussed at the meeting concerned the imitative of the European countries to form an international criminal court, refusals to issue Russian visas for some foreign public and religious figures, as well as work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with deputy inquiries.

See also:

Situation around Iraq