President Vladimir Putin of Russia Thursday said he supported planned elections in Iraq January 30 because it was necessary for the Iraqi people to become "master of their own country and of their natural resources."
Speaking after a summit meeting with leaders of the European Union, Putin said that Russia -- which opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq last year -- was ready to play a role in the organization of the election. "We have a tradition of friendship with Iraq that we are willing to develop," Putin told reporters.
He said Russia had wiped out 90 percent of the debts that Iraq owes to it, which he called an "unprecedented" act of debt relief.
However, Russia is also asking that contracts signed with the regime of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein be honored, including a 1997 deal giving the LUKoil corporation exploitation rights in the 10-billion barrel West Qurna-2 oil reserve.
By: N. Peter Kramer
