Putin Meets Rice To Discuss Iraq, Mideast

15 May 2004 -- U.S. national security adviser Condoleeza Rice held talks at the Kremlin on 15 May with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a statement, Putin's office said the two talked about various issues relating to Russian-U.S. cooperation, as well as key international problems, including the situation in Iraq and in the Middle East.

U.S. officials had said Rice's visit would focus on the scheduled 30 June transfer of power to an interim Iraqi administration and a new UN resolution on Iraq.

Yesterday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yurii Fedotov said Russia supports the adoption of a new UN resolution on Iraq, but first wants to see an agreement on the steps to be taken to legitimize a new Iraqi government.

Rice is also due to meet with Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov. She is due in Berlin tomorrow.

(AP/AFP)