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To continue consultations on the Iraq problem, Mr Putin and Mr Blair exchanged opinions on the situation emerging in the country following the discussion at the UN Security Council of a report by Hans Blix, Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC). President Putin noted that the report, as well as a speech by Mohamed El Baradei, head of the IAEA, provided weighty additional evidence in favour of continued inspections in Iraq, which are bringing concrete results. The Russian side stressed that resolutions 1284 and 1441 gave UNMOVIC and IAEA a sufficiently strong mandate, which is being successfully implemented.
When discussing possible further moves by the international community with Mr Blair, President Putin favoured intensification of the inspections on a regular basis.
Mr Putin and Mr Blair agreed to maintain contact on the Iraq problem.
March 11, 2003