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Russia vents its anger

It called on President Boris Yeltsin to "announce immediately Russia's withdrawal from the regime of sanctions" imposed on Iraq by the UN Security Council.

Resolutions in the Communist-dominated Duma are not binding on the president or government, but Russian politicians were almost unanimously united in their opposition to the attacks.

They are furious that the raids began without a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, giving Russia no chance to use its veto as one of the five permanent members.

International law 'broken'

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said the bombing raids violated international law.

He said Operation Desert Fox threatened to blow up the entire system of international relations based on partnership, trust and mutual understanding

Mr Ivanov also called for the setting up of a UN special commission on Iraq.

The Russian ambassadors to Washington and London have also been recalled, although Moscow says it has no plans to sever diplomatic ties.

At a news conference on Friday, Mr Yeltsin's press secretary Dmitry Yakushkin insisted: "A military strike is a military strike. This is impermissible. They must be stopped."

But he added: "There can be no talk of a break in relations with Britain and the United States...We must not let things slide into confrontation."

Clinton letter

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright described the Russian decision to withdraw their ambassador as "unfortunate".

She added that the US did not intend to recall its ambassador in Moscow.

"Clearly the Russians disagree with us about the use of force in Iraq. They, however, have no good ideas about how to solve the problem," Mrs Albright said.

On Thursday, President Bill Clinton wrote to Russian President Boris Yeltsin defending the decision to attack Iraq.

Britain has been playing down the international disagreement, saying both Mr Ivanov and his UK counterpart, Robin Cook, have agreed they should work together in what was described as "the post-military phase".

Moscow also looks likely to delay ratifying its nuclear disarmament treaty with the United States.

Kremlin officials said the attacks had all but ended hopes that the Duma might soon ratify the 1993 US-Russian Start II nuclear arms reduction treaty.

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World reaction at a glance (17 Dec 98 | LATEST NEWS)
Yeltsin demands end to strikes: Statement (17 Dec 98 | TEXTS AND TRANSCRIPTS)
Analysis: High-risk strategy could backfire (17 Dec 98 | LATEST NEWS)
UN hears calls for end to raids (17 Dec 98 | LATEST NEWS)
Mideast media slam 'Monicagate' attacks (17 Dec 98 | LATEST NEWS)
Boris and Bill: a lame duck duo? (01 Sep 98 | World)

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