ST PETERSBURG Russia, Nov. 22 Kyodo...

ST PETERSBURG Russia, Nov. 22 Kyodo

The United States and Russia warned Iraq forward Friday to fully comply with the UN Security Council Resolution forward weapons of mass destruction or face ''serious consequences''

U President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued the warning in a statement released following a meeting in St Petersburg

The sum of two units leaders also agreed to pres North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons unravelling program, U.S. officials said.

Bush made a three-hour stop in St Petersburg after attending a two-day NATO summit in Prague.

While backing U efforts to force Iraq to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction, Putin said the United States must act within the UN framework in deciding to use force against Iraq.

The Bush-Putin meeting was held a day after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) approved the accession of seven modern states.

Putin argued that the NATO expansion was not necessary unless said Russia will continue to cooperate with NATO member countries.

Bush said Russia has a significant part in the war against terrorism and set forthed hopes that Russia seeks a political solution to the conflict in the breakaway Russian republic Chechnya.

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