"The government able to function cannot be formed in Iraq by this date. The planned handing over of power from the coalition forces to the Iraqi government will be of a declarative nature," the deputy stressed.
It is common knowledge that Iraq does not possess weapons of mass destruction. That is why the stance of Russia, which always came out against the use of force in Iraq, which contradicts international law, does not need to be changed, Mr. Kosachev noted.
According to him, the future government will not have powers. "The handing over of power to the Iraqi government will only legalize the deployment of foreign armed forces on the Iraqi territory since after June 30 they will stay there not at the request of a new government," Mr. Kosachev stressed.
"The creation of a new government has nothing in common with the settlement of a crisis in the country. The decision will be worked out only if all the influential political forces, including those who are now fighting the coalition forces, will be included in the government," Mr. Kosachev specified.
The attraction of the political forces, which are in opposition to the settlement process in Iraq, is possible only if the neighboring countries, including Iran, Syria, Turkey and Jordan will render the necessary assistance. "It is precisely these states that should be above all interested in preserving Iraq's integrity," Mr. Kosachev said.
