RUSSIA - Feb. 20 - Ivanov Warns Of Pressure On Inspectors.

FM Igor Ivanov warns that "very strong pressure" is being exerted on UN weapons inspectors in Iraq, "in order to provoke their departure from Iraq, or to force them to present material to the Security Council that can be used as a pretext to start military operations". The claim highlights the degree to which UN Security Council members are looking to the inspectors to break their deep impasse over a possible war. The divide centres on whether the immediate threat from Saddam Hussein justifies military action - and its consequences. In Baghdad, European envoys say Moscow, Paris and Iraqi neighbours are raising pressure on Baghdad to provide high-profile concessions ahead of a March report by chief UN weapons inspectors to the UN Security Council.