Blair seeks Russia's help on Iraq

The Blairs flew into Moscow on Thursday

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has vowed to address Russia's economic concerns over a possible conflict with Iraq.

The prime minister arrived at President Vladimir Putin's country dacha on Thursday, ahead of talks aimed at securing Russian support for a tough United Nations stance against Saddam Hussein's regime.

There are certainly very legitimate interests that Russia has got in terms of outstanding contracts with Iraq

Tony Blair

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has told the French news agency AFP that two UN resolutions could be needed.

A two-stage process, which is favoured by France, would mean that a new UN resolution authorising the use of force would only be passed in the event of weapons inspectors being once more prevented from carrying out their work.

Mr Straw has just completed a whistle-stop tour of the Middle East to try to drum up support for action on Iraq.

Russian stance

Russia's huge economic interests in Iraq have made it anxious to avoid military intervention.

Iraq owes Russia $8bn for past purchases of weapons and other goods.

Jack Straw says two UN resolutions may be needed

"There are certainly very legitimate interests that Russia has got in terms of outstanding contracts with Iraq," Mr Blair told reporters, referring to Russia's links with the Iraqi oil industry.

"They will want to know we are sensitive to that and we are."

The UK prime minister will hold talks with Mr Putin on Friday in a bid to persuade Russia to move closer to the position held by the US and UK on pre-emptive strikes in the region.

At present, Mr Putin has made it clear he opposes the creation of a new UN resolution sanctioning military force before UN inspectors have been give the chance to resume their work.

The UN route is our preference but if it isn't dealt with in that way, it has got to be dealt with differently

Tony Blair

Russia's status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council gives it a right of veto over any resolution.

Mr Blair has always stated he wants to work through the UN.

But in an interview with the BBC World Service on Wednesday, he indicated he would be prepared to go to war with Iraq without Security Council backing.

"That [the UN route] is our preference but nobody would be in any doubt that if it isn't dealt with in that way, it has got to be dealt with differently," he said.

Pre-emptive strikes

A high-ranking Russian diplomat told Russian news agency Itar-Tass, that the issue at the root of their disagreement on Iraq was the "concept of preventive strikes" in the international arena.

Russia is concerned that the situation remain "in the field of international law".

"London is doing much to keep Washington in the law channel," the diplomat stressed.