Russian foreign minister supports delay in arms control treaty

MOSCOW -- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov backed a proposal by some lawmakers to postpone approval of a key U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control treaty, as he accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to destroy Iraq.

Ivanov said he supported delaying authorization of the treaty because the U.S.-led strike could fuel unfair criticism of the pact.

"Maybe now is not the right moment psychologically to bring this document up for ratification," Ivanov said. "If we wait for some time, and concentrate all our efforts on ending the war ... then at a more quiet moment we can quickly deal with this issue."

The treaty, signed in May by Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Bush, calls on both nations to cut their strategic nuclear arsenals by about two-thirds, to 1,700 to 2,200 deployed warheads, by 2012.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the treaty this month. The move was widely seen as part of a diplomatic effort to win Russian support for a tougher line against Iraq. But Moscow has only hardened its position, repeatedly criticizing the U.S. military strike.

"What democracy are they talking about when they are trying to completely destroy the country?" Ivanov said. "If such massive bombardment continues, a humanitarian, economic and environmental catastrophe will become inevitable in the near future, not only in Iraq but in the whole region."

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, had been expected to take up debate on the treaty last week, but it indefinitely postponed a ratification vote because of the threat of an imminent U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

The treaty leaves it to each nation to decide which weapons it will scrap. That will allow Russia to keep its Soviet-built multiple-warhead SS-18 and SS-19 missiles at the core of its nuclear arsenal.

Moscow and Washington continue to argue over U.S. claims that Russian companies provided Iraq with anti-tank guided missiles, satellite jamming devices and night-vision goggles in violation of U.N. sanctions. The two companies accused of the sales, Aviakonversiya and KBP Tula, have denied any role.

"We are seriously concerned by the attempts of certain circles in the United States to drag Russia into an information war over Iraq by making unfounded accusations," Ivanov said.

A senior U.S. diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, countered that the United States has "very hard information" contradicting Moscow's denials. The diplomat said at least Aviakonversiya had dealt directly with Baghdad and had employees tending to equipment in Iraq.

The diplomat said it was unclear whether the Russians, when presented with the evidence, "just didn't look hard enough or whether there were efforts to conceal things." Washington is demanding that Russia punish the companies involved.

Despite Ivanov's fierce criticism of the war, he emphasized that Moscow wants good relations with Washington.