Putin: UN should play key role in resolving conflicts

<a href=www.russiajournal.com>The Russia Journal April 16, 2003 Posted: 18:39 Moscow time (14:39 GMT)  | 18-Apr-2003  | Time to get down to work | 14-Apr-2003

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that the United Nations should play a key role in resolving regional conflicts, economic crises and the problems of international terrorism and extremism.

"The international situation brings to the fore the tasks of ensuring the primacy of international law and the unique role of international security institutions, first and foremost the United Nations," Putin said at a Kremlin ceremony where he accepted credentials from ambassadors from Israel, Venezuela, Guatemala, Cuba, Eritrea, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

"I am convinced that these difficult challenges can be overcome only through the solidarity of the international community," he said. Putin has strongly opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, saying diplomacy and continued U.N. weapons inspections were preferable. Since the war began, he has joined France and Germany in pushing for the U.N. to play a central role in Iraq's postwar reconstruction.

During his comments Wednesday, Putin said Russia and Israel should increase their efforts to forge a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

"Today, more than ever, we must coordinate our efforts with the international community to begin moving toward a lasting, real peace in the Middle East," Putin said.

Russia is an official co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process, but its diplomatic role has been largely overshadowed by that of the United States.

The Associated Press