The Russian commercial television station, NTV, broadcast an
interview in Russian on April 1 with Alexander Kotelkin, Director of
Rosvoorouzhenie, the Russian arms company. The interview took
place after the company participated in the International Defense
Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) which took place 16-20 March at the
Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre.The Russian commercial television station, NTV, broadcast an
interview in Russian on April 1 with Alexander Kotelkin, Director of
Rosvoorouzhenie, the Russian arms company. The interview took
place after the company participated in the International Defense
Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) which took place 16-20 March at the
Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre.

Kotelkin: Russia does not sell weapons to states which are
"detestable countries".

Q: Am I to understand from what you are saying that when the
embargo on arms sales to Iraq , which is now carefully being
honored, is lifted, we won't sell weapons to Iraq?

Kotelkin: We will sell and we will be the first to do it.

Q: If so, are you saying that Sadam Hussein's regime is not
detestable?

Kotelkin: No, look what you are saying. You yourself say 'when
the embargo is lifted'. therefore, this means that the
international community will recognize Iraq as a full member.
Under sections 51 and 53 of the U.N., full members have the right
to purchase weapons.

Q: Okay, your observation is accepted. But don't we trade with
Iran, against whom many claims have been raised?

Kotelkin: Excuse me, but who raises these claims? Aren't they
made by the U.S. or Britain? Who else? We have claims against a
number of other states, for example Taiwan. The U.S. trades with
Taiwan. It supplies missiles. Therefore, it is normal to have
differing positions. But the international community considers
Iran a full member.

Q: Yet many countries do not maintain diplomatic relations with
it.

Kotelkin: A number of countries, not many. Yet, Iran is our
market. We sell it defensive weapons.

Q: Submarines are defensive weapons?

Kotelkin: Yes, they are a kind of deterrent weapon.

Q: But among the defensive weapons systems are...

Kotelkin: Vessels which do not carry missiles. Only torpedoes.
Please recall that the air forces - U.S. and allied forces - around
Iran includes over 500 attack planes, not sports planes but attack
planes. A force so large. In other words, this is a matter which
requires separate investigation regarding who is pressing whom.

Q: It is no question that the nature of the Iranian regime, be it
democratic or not, is another matter for consideration?

Kotelkin: Yet Iran is close to us. It is located across our
southern border. Iran has shown considerable reserve regarding
some conflicts in republics of the former USSR and in our
territory. So it is best for us to build a system of relations
with our neighbor. Our policy towards Iran is very balanced.

Q: I understand. If so we will not consider any regime as
unacceptable as long as it is recognized by the international
community as a member with full rights? Is this correct?

Kotelkin: And so, along with this the last word is always with the
president, who issues each year orders in order to approve the list
of countries with which we may deal in the area of weapons, or with
whom arms trade is restricted.