Russian president meets Condoleezza Rice to discuss Iraq, Mideast and bilateral ties

MOSCOW (AP) _ Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice on Saturday to discuss Iraq and the Middle East, the Kremlin said. <br/><br/>U.S. officials said

Saturday, May 15th 2004, 11:02 am

By: News On 6

MOSCOW (AP) _ Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice on Saturday to discuss Iraq and the Middle East, the Kremlin said.

U.S. officials said before Rice's Friday arrival that talks would focus on the June 30 transfer of power to an interim Iraqi administration and a new U.N. resolution on Iraq.

A statement from Putin's office said they also discussed ``various issues relating to the Russian-U.S. cooperation, as well as key international problems,'' including Iraq.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov said Friday that Russia is prepared to work toward a new U.N. resolution on Iraq, but first wants an agreement on what steps should be taken to legitimize a new Iraqi government after the transfer.

Fedotov added that Russia would not oppose the deployment of international forces in Iraq after June 30 as long as there was a clear U.N. mandate detailing their duties and length of stay.

Moscow strongly opposed the U.S.-led war against Iraq and has repeatedly called for a stronger U.N. role in the nation.

After handing over control to a caretaker Iraqi government, the United States will continue providing security in the country.

Rice and Putin did not have a scheduled press conference Saturday. She is set to leave for Berlin on Sunday.