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Russian leaders condemn U.S. strikes
September 4, 1996
Web posted at: 10:55 p.m. EDT (0255 GMT)From Moscow Bureau Chief Eileen O'Connor
MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russian leaders, from the Kremlin to the opposition Communist party, presented a united front Wednesday against the U.S. missile strikes on Iraqi targets.
President Boris Yeltsin, still recuperating outside Moscow from medical problems, sounded off through his chief of staff, Anatoly Chubais.
"We believe that the repetitions of these actions are impermissible," Chubais said. "Secondly, we strongly believe that it's necessary to consult with Russia when dealing with such issues."
We believe that the repetitions of these actions are impermissible...we strongly believe that it's necessary to consult with Russia when dealing with such issues.
-- Anatoly Chubais
Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov, on official business in Europe, was even more strident in his indignation, saying the United States had usurped the authority of the U.N. Security Council by taking unilateral action against Iraq.
"No single country can take action that could disrupt the world order," he said.
Earlier, Primakov suggested the air strikes were designed to boost U.S. President Bill Clinton's chances in the upcoming elections.
Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov reacted according to party lines, calling the action "an example of international terrorism."
It's obnoxious. It creates international tension. The whole planet gets nervous.
-- Gennady Zyuganov
"It's obnoxious," he said. "It creates international tension. The whole planet gets nervous."
During the Persian Gulf War, the then-Soviet Union played the part of neutral spectator -- never overtly supporting its old client-state Iraq, and eventually trying to broker a peace deal.
With Yeltsin still out of the public eye, however, the current round of anti-U.S. rhetoric is little more than saber-rattling. Is it likely that only Yeltsin's own voice would make the United States take notice -- and that does not appear forthcoming.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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