MOSCOW, Feb 12: Moscow today cautioned the United States to desist from using any posssible military use against Iraq as otherwise it would lead to worsening of relations between two nuclear powers in the world.This was conveyed to the visiting US Defence Secretary William Cohen by his Russian counterpart Igor Sergeyev, according to Russian radio ``Ekho Moskvy''.The Russian Defence Minister expressed concern at the prospects of the development of Russian-American military cooperation in the event of a military strike at Iraq.Sergeyev told the US Defence Secretary that Washington should not undermine the vital interest of Russia and other countries of the Gulf.Cohen, while expressing his country's views about Iraq said Washington was interested that Baghdad should comply with all UN resolutions.He said that in recent months President Clinton has been showing considerable restraint despite `Saddam's tricks'.Cohen arrived in Moscow from Bahrain late last night after inspecting the US fleet inthe Gulf and efforts to win the support for the US action from the countries of the region.On arrival in Moscow he ruled out that he would focus on Iraq during his talks with the Russian officials including Defence Minister Sergeyev and Foreign Minister Primakov.However, the Iraq crisis sidetracked other issues of nucelar safety and disarmament including the possibility of the ratification of 1993 START-2 nuclear missile reduction treaty by the Russian State Duma (lower house).A senior offical of the Duma defence committee said in case of the US led military strike against Iraq the prospects of START-2 ratification in the near future would become bleak.Meanwhile, a senior British minister today said it was now up to Saddam to end the current standoff and all Baghdad has to do was comply with the UN Security Council resolutions.``The ball is in Saddam's court. He can pick up the phone and say he will comply,'' Derek Fatchett, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs saidhere.Fatchett said Iraq's recent proposal to allow inspection of eight presidential palaces fell short of UN's demands.Baghdad also placed a time limit of two months to complete the work. The proposal has been turned down by the United States and Britain.
