Russia and the United States have agreed to put aside the disputes they had on Iraq and to focus on developing a generally acceptable draft resolution on Iraq to be submitted to the UN Security Council," Ivanov was quoted by Interfax as saying.

He made the statement after a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Colin Powell. "The resolution involves a wide range of aspects, including security. The final decision is expected to be produced by ongoing discussions," Ivanov said.

Meanwhile, Powell said that the Unites States is working with Russia on a new draft resolution on Iraq and invited other UN Security Council members to join.

However, he said that it is still unclear whether international weapons inspectors will return to Iraq.

Russia has reiterated its opposition to the US-sponsored draft resolution on Iraq, insisting that UN inspectors should be allowed back to Baghdad to certify that it has no weapons of mass destruction.

Ivanov stressed the new resolution on Iraq should provide legal grounds for a massive international role in Iraq's post-war reconstruction.

Ivanov also expressed confidence in continuing constructive bilateral relations on the international arena since the fundamentals of Russian-US partnership have survived the Iraq crisis.

Powell described his meeting with Putin as open and sincere. He said that he and Putin discussed the nuclear program in Iran and this discussion showed that the United States and Russia now better understand each other's concerns and positions on this problem.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2003)