One document of interest in the recently released documents uncovered in Iraq is this one which highlights a debate on how to deal with the UN inspections and keeping the UN out of certain sites. It is interesting has it seems to cover a 1996 debate within Hussein’s adivsory council discussing ways to turn world opinion from the inspections, which at the time were led by Rolf Ekeus. they discuss where to resist and where to cooperate to demonstrate good will.

But what is really interesting begins on the bottom of page 39 (out of 48, where every other page is blank):

Tell the comrades who you saw last week.

The Russian?

Yeah.

Sir, the Russian is coming….he is coming with the Minister of Commerce. I mean, he is coming to get his share.

Hum…

Emphasis mine. This is 1996 and Iraq is trying to find a way to turn public opinion against the inspections and get out from under them. Up until this point the debate of the Iraqis is on whether to make a stand on the Republican Guard and other sites where Iraq had barred the UN Inspector’s from access. All of a sudden they turn to the subject of Russians coming to Iraq. More

He [the Russian] is saying: we helped you [Unintelligable].

Did he come via Tehran?

[top of page 41]

He came via Tehran. I said to him, I said to him: you know us, you are living with us and know the President [Saddam Hussein]. The President and the friends that are helping him – there is no doubt in the President’s mind that we should be faithful to our friends and that the purpose should not be a specified deal [Unintelligable], but your share must be equal to our capabilties and capacities.

Clearly the person relaying the encounter is repeating his comments to ‘the Russian’, who is clearly a diplomat stationed in Iraq, and they are discussing some deal for payment. The Iraqi then recounts their discussion of the current inspection impasse with this Russian and the plan for Iraq to bar access to certain sites. The Russian seems to not see this a good idea. Then comes this interesting segment at the top of page 43:

Tell Primikov: the other thing is that of you imagine that [Unintelligable] 986. We talked about it and it went away. Hopefully, we will coooperate and you will get what you want.

In the margins is the note UNSC 986, which refers to the UN resolution instituting the Oil For Food program in April 1995 – the previous year. The discussion goes back to Rolf Ekeus’ plan to extend inspections for another 6 years (which had been a hot topic of discussion prior to this) and how the person speaking expressed this was unacceptable to the Russian.

The speaker relaying what clearly could be interpreted as negotiations regarding what Iraq wanted for the Russian ‘share’ must be known. Later on page 45 he admits he visits the UN in New York and is part of the Iraq diplomatic core:

I told him: when thge French said this, I was in New York. [Russian Permanent Respresentative to the UN Levron] supported him. You [the Russian] must revisit.

This must be one of the documents that linked Russia to the bribes going on in the Oil For Food program. It could easily be seen as the initial steps for defining the quid for the pro quo. There is little doubt the Iraqis are trying to establish what they want Russia to do.

I had asked to see Primikov, so I need this talk to reach Primikov. I want a serious and firm position in the Security Council.

…

He told me: fine, we guarantee the agreement between you and Primokov

Bring us coffee!

Remember, this is what Iraq is telling the Russian who has come via Tehran to get ‘his share’. It is important to note Primikov’s history in the Russian intelligence – and therefore his brand of connections to the Middle East are of a certain nature and type.