Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Friday that U.N. weapons inspectors should be allowed to continue their work. He also warned against any military action against Iraq that did not have U.N. approval. "Any unilateral action using force, currently bypassing the United Nations Security Council, may not only complicate the Iraq settlement, but also have a negative effect on other regional conflicts. Therefore, we underscore the need for international unity."
'Old Europe' hits back at Rumsfeld: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/01/24/france.germany.rumsfeld/index.html
...French media quoted French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie as saying: "We are no longer in prehistoric times when whoever had the biggest club would try to knock the other guy out so he could steal his mammoth skin."
"Cool down," German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer shot back at comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "We are good friends and allies."
'Human shields' prepare for Iraq: http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/01/24/sprj.irq.shields/index.html
...Among the volunteers listed by the organisers are 60-year-old Sue Darling, a former British diplomat and Gordon Sloan, a contestant on the Australian TV show "Big Brother" who became known to millions of viewers as "Donkey Boy."
"I'm sticking my neck out for what I believe is right. I might only live another 10 weeks," Tom Brogan told CNN's "Connie Chung Tonight."
Saddam son warns U.S. of losses: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/01/24/sprj.irq.uday.reut/index.html
..."Because if they come, September 11 which they are crying over and see as a big thing will be a real picnic for them, God willing,"
Kim Jong Il: 'We can defeat U.S.': http://asia.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/01/23/korea.north.frontline.reut/index.html
..."He was greatly satisfied to learn that the servicemen of the unit have turned all the operation theaters into an impregnable fortress with burning hatred and resentment at the U.S. imperialist aggressors, the sworn enemy of the Korean people,"
