Combined Reports


BAGHDAD -- Iraq, acting at the behest of Russia, recognized Kuwait and accepted its borders Thursday, meeting a key demand for lifting of UN sanctions imposed after Baghdad's 1990 invasion of the emirate.


Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev, who made a one-day visit to Baghdad to push Iraq to finally accept Kuwait's sovereignty, said before flying back that the move constitutes "a major step in the right direction which in my mind should be registered by the Security Council." Russia has called for the council to begin the process of lifting sanctions if Iraq recognized Kuwait.


Initial reaction from Security Council members to Iraq's announcement was cautious, although several said it would be an important step toward an eventual easing of sanctions.


But the United States downplayed the effort, with the White House saying that recognition must be in "practice as well as in words."


White House spokeswoman Dee Dee Myers said: "There are a number of other elements in UN resolutions that Iraq must adhere to before we can even discuss lifting sanctions." She added that other terms include "releasing political prisoners, returning property, dismantling their weapons program."


Britain's ambassador Sir David Hannay told reporters: "Recognition of Kuwait's border would be an important step in the direction of compliance by Iraq with the resolutions of the council, but not the only step.


"The failure to take this step was clearly an important impediment to any determination that Iraq was in compliance with Security Council resolutions. So if this step does fulfil all the criteria required, it removes that impediment but it is not the only problem," he said.


President Saddam Hussein signed a statement as chairman of Iraq's parliament, the Revolutionary Command Council, laying to rest Iraq's long-standing claim to Kuwait as its 19th province. Russia hailed the recognition of Kuwait as a triumph for Russian diplomacy following Kozyrev's mediation.


Recognition "is a continuation of the work which Russia has carried out with Kuwait and with Iraq," said Ivan Rybkin, chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.


He described Iraq's decision as a long-awaited event and a further step towards the eventual lifting of international sanctions against Baghdad.


This, in turn, would help Iraq to repay debts owed to Russia, he said. "This money is very necessary for us now," Rybkin told Itar-Tass.


Viktor Ustinov, another Duma deputy, also said Iraq's decision was a victory for Russian diplomacy.


"The efforts of President Yeltsin and the Russian foreign ministry, crowned by success, bear witness that today our diplomacy has a worthy place in the world," he told Itar-Tass.


"It is a hopeful sign," said Pakistani Ambassador Jamsheed Marker. French Ambassador Jean-Bernard Merim?e said the council would have to evaluate any documents first, and if valid, should acknowledge Iraq's effort.


All 15 council members have insisted on recognition of Kuwait and its newly demarcated UN border through action by the Revolutionary Command Council, and in written documents to the United Nations.


Sanctions were imposed on Iraq after its August 1990 invasion of Kuwait.


According to a 1991 Gulf cease-fire resolution, they can be eased on exports from Iraq, such as oil, after all weapons of mass destruction are abolished and the United Nations is satisfied with its long-term monitoring program to make sure Baghdad does not re-acquire new arms. Other measures are related to easing sanctions on imports to Iraq.


But the United States has given the 1991 resolution a singular interpretation and insisted that other demands be related to the oil embargo.


Russia had proposed a six-month trial period before the council should seriously consider lifting the oil embargo. The council will review sanctions against Iraq on Monday.


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