Iran supports Iraq political development
Iraq-Iran, Politics, 7/4/2006

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said today that Iran supports the current process of formation of a new government for Iraq.

Mottaki made the remarks at a meeting with the visiting Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani where he also spoke of the outcome of his recent visit to Iraq in late May.

"The visit to Iraq turned out several results for the two countries. We hope the sides will pave the way for consolidation of ties through regular consultations between their officials," he said.

He stressed the importance of bolstering close cooperation between the two countries, saying the "two nations are bonded by friendship based on common historical and cultural interests." "Such bonds highlight the significance of taking major steps to improve mutual relations," he added.

He said "security plays a very crucial role in establishing a permanent government in Iraq," and hoped "the initiative of national reconciliation will move forward in Iraq and materialize its goals and objectives." "Discord among Shi'ite and Sunnis is among the old policies of global arrogance to weaken Muslims. Since the outset of the Islamic Revolution (in 1979), the late Imam Khomeini condemned any effort aimed at causing discord among Shi'ites and Sunnis through his wise guidelines.

"We hope enemies' conspiracies to sow discord will be neutralized through wisdom and reinforcement of solidarity among all strata of Iraqi society." Pointing to an upcoming meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq's neighboring states plus Egypt, slated to be held in Iran on July 8-9, Mottaki said "we hope the meeting will bring in constructive and positive messages for the Iraqi people to settle their problems through efforts by all neighboring states of Iraq." He outlined sources of insecurity in Iraq, saying the "presence of foreign forces in Iraq is among factors behind increasing security crisis in that country.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran believes the Iraqi forces and government have potentials to establish security and stability in the country through efforts by all political and tribal groups.

"It is obvious that withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq can provide the Iraqi nation with an appropriate atmosphere to materialize security." The Iranian minister expressed Iran's readiness to bolster parliamentary ties with Iraq, saying, "The Iranian government supports more parliamentary exchanges between the two sides and welcomes more exchange of visits between parliamentary delegations and establishment of the two countries' friendship group." Al-Mashhadani, for his part, said his visit to Iran is the first one by a parliament speaker after establishment of a permanent government in the country.

He added that establishment of the Iraqi parliament showed firm determination of its nation to play a role in administrating affairs of the country and expressed hope the nation would further rule over its affairs through formation of legal institutes.

He praised Iran's stance on support for the Iraqi people before and after fall of the former regime of Saddam Hussein and said his country believes Iran's position is based on Islamic beliefs and independent principles of foreign policy.

The Iraqi speaker said implementation of the initiative of national reconciliation would prepare ground for establishment of a broad-based government and participation of all groups.

He hoped the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers of Iraqi eighbors would spare no efforts to support the initiative.

Previous Stories:
  Iran's president to visit Iraq   (7/3/2006)
  Iran says US talks would have been unproductive   (7/3/2006)
  Iraqi parliament speaker to visit Iran   (7/1/2006)

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