Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in Moscow Thursday that his country supports sending international forces to Iraq, stressing their presence should be defined by a UN mandate.

"We believe that at the present stage the presence of international forces is necessary... They can immediately take responsibility for security," Ivanov was quoted by Interfax as saying.

Ivanov made the statement in a video linkup from New York, where he is accompanying Russian President Vladimir Putin in a working visit to the United States.

"But this presence must be defined by a specific mandate that must also be approved by the UN Security Council," he said.

"Such a mandate should set objectives for the international forces and the time limit for their stay in Iraq," he emphasized.

He told Russian journalists in Moscow that Russia is ready for a constructive dialogue with the United States on a political solution on the Iraq issue, as all disagreements between the two countries have been overcome.

"There were once disagreements, and we did not hide them. But now they have been resolved," Ivanov said.

"We are open to a very constructive dialogue, including with Washington," Ivanov said, noting that "we are aware of the role the United States plays in the Iraqi peace process."

Ivanov's statement came shortly after Putin stressed the need for direct participation of the United Nations in rebuilding Iraq in a speech to the UN General Assembly.

Russia has ruled out the possibility of sending Russian peacekeeping troops to Iraq.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2003)