MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax) - Russia is not involved in illegal supplies of weapons to Iraq; on the contrary, it is determined to maintain military-technological cooperation only with the official authorities in Baghdad, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and special presidential envoy to the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov said.
"Russia is not involved in illegal weapons supplies and maintains military-technological cooperation only with the legitimate authorities in Iraq and other countries," Bogdanov said in commenting on recent reports in some Arab media outlets alleging that a shipment of Russian weapons had recently been discovered at the Baghdad airport.
"Details of this episode are being looked into now," Bogdanov said.
Asked whether Russia plans to conclude any new military-technological cooperation agreements and whether new supplies of Russian weapons to Iraq could take place in the near future, Bogdanov said, "Surely, we try to respond to our Iraqi partners' relevant requests and needs."
"We have a host of contracts signed, and they are being implemented," Bogdanov said. "The Iraqi authorities, including the previous prime minister, the new head of government, and members of the Iraqi Cabinet of ministers, have expressed their gratitude to us for our prompt support in strengthening the country's defense capability, its army and [other] security agencies in combating terrorism. Moreover, the Iraqis point out that, unlike some Western partners, our assistance, while always being opportune and efficient, is never conditioned by any political demands or terms, which they especially appreciate," he said.
The full version of Bogdanov's interview will be available later on www.interfax.ru.