Iran's FM criticizes US policies on Iraq
Iraq-Iran-USA, Politics, 4/24/2006

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki today criticized the US presence and unilateral policies on Iraq saying "The wrong performance and inappropriate security moves of foreign forces in Iraq have not helped restore security, stability and tranquility in that country but have only served to complicate the situation even more."

Moreover, he said "the wrong performance of foreign forces in Iraq have prepared the ground for terrorist groups to operate and have intensified sectarian conflicts resulting in greater insecurity, instability and violence in that country," he said.

"Iran believes the ground should be prepared for withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq at the earliest possible time by encouraging establishment of military and security institutions as soon as possible, making these institutions as efficient as possible and delegating responsibility to them for security affairs," he said.

"Iran has always expressed its readiness to help the Iraqi government and people restore security in their country by providing educational assistance and dispatching equipment required by Iraq's police and security forces," he added.

The minister further said that Iran had taken the important step of thwarting terrorist activities by signing a memorandum of understanding with Iraq providing for expanded security cooperation, setting up of a committee and increased border control within the scope of their bilateral relations.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has spared no effort at helping the Iraqi people rebuild their economy and country as a whole in line with its principled stances.

"It supported the Iraqi people during their difficult times by contributing to the country's economic reconstruction, providing humanitarian aid and helping meet its domestic needs for electricity, fuel and food," Mottaki said.

He then called on the United Nations and the international community to play a greater role in the formation of a new Iraqi government and in reconstructing the country.

"We intend to hold the next meeting of foreign ministers of Iraqi neighboring states in Tehran after establishment of the permanent government in Iraq to discuss latest developments in that country and arrive at a common stance of neighboring states on the political trend in Iraq." Pointing to bilateral ties between Tehran and Baghdad and their many historical, religious and cultural commonalties, he said that the solution to Iraq's problems lies in "respect for the Iraqi people's demands, recognition of their rights, respect for the rights of the minorities and establishment of a broad-based government embracing all Shiite, Sunni, Kurd and Arab groups." "Iran is expected to play a role in advancing Iraq's affairs and consolidating peace and security in the region after formation of a popular government in Iraq. This government will have friendly ties with neighbors based on goodwill, mutual respect, non interference in the domestic affairs of states and fulfillment of bilateral and international commitments." Referring to the determination of Iranian and Iraqi officials to bolster bilateral relations, Mottaki suggested "setting up of a high commission to oversee expansion of bilateral cooperation, signing of memoranda of understanding and documents for cooperation, several exchange visits between economic and political delegations, establishment of air links between Tehran and Baghdad and visits by pilgrims of the two states to each other's holy sites."

He pointed to the "construction of two oil pipelines connecting Iraq's Basra province and Iran's Abadan, rail links established between the two countries, exchange of goods and allocation of one billion dollars in Iran's budget to expand cooperation with Baghdad" as holding great prospects for expansion of mutual ties.

Previous Stories:
  US - Iran talks after Iraqi government formation   (4/19/2006)
  Rafsanjani: Iran accepts US call for talks on Iraq   (4/18/2006)
  Iranian official: US should recognize Iraq's political determination   (4/17/2006)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search