"Russia strictly observes its international obligations. It did not sell any equipment, including military equipment, in violation of the sanctions regime," Ivanov told a press conference in Moscow.

"I am aware of my responsibility, and I'm saying that any confirmed violation of the sanctions regime will be viewed here as a serious violation of Russian criminal laws with all ensuing consequences," he said.

He confirmed that "since October 2002, the United States has inquired about Russia's possible supplies of banned military equipment to Iraq on several occasions."

"All of these inquiries have been examined by experts and replies have been provided. No facts confirming US concerns were revealed," Ivanov noted.

Meanwhile, Ivanov said Russia insisted that the United Nations Security Council discuss the US-led war on Iraq "in the near future."

"The United Nations and the Security Council cannot, of course, remain uninvolved in what is happening in Iraq. We hope that this issue will become a matter of thorough and detailed discussions in the UN Security Council in the near future," Ivanov stressed.

Russia has denounced the United States for launching military actions against Iraq.

President Vladimir Putin last Thursday urged the United States to immediately stop the war in Iraq, criticizing it as a "big political mistake" that threatens international security and could cause a humanitarian catastrophe.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2003)