Ivanov made the conclusion while addressing an open Security Council meeting, during which Powell made an audio-visual presentation accusing Iraq of failing to disarm.

Maintaining unity within the Security Council and taking concerted action under the United Nations Charter is the "most reliable" way to resolve the issue of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Ivanov said.

He noted that the information given by Washington requires very serious and thorough study and Russian experts will analyze it and draw appropriate conclusions.

The information should be immediately handed over to the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency so as to direct on-site inspections, Ivanov added.

For its part, Baghdad must give inspectors answers to the questions contained in Powell's presentation, he stressed.

Talks About Possible War on Iraq Premature: Russian Minister

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in Moscow on Wednesday that "any talks on declaring war against Iraq would be premature."

Ivanov made the statement in an interview with Russia's Channel One television following a UN Security Council session at which US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented a report on Iraq's possible possession of weapons of mass destruction.

International weapons inspector should leave for Iraq within the next few days and continue their work there to make a conclusion whether Iraq has such weapons, said the minister.

He also urged Iraq to offer full cooperation during this period and, thus, open up opportunities for a political settlement.

Commenting on Powell's report, Ivanov said it included numerous specific data that would require serious consideration by experts," including from Russia."

"International inspectors should first verify this information on the ground and then submit their conclusions to the UN Security Council," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2003)