Aftermath of Iraq neighbors meeting with US and Iran
Iraq-Regional-UN, Politics, 3/13/2007

Welcoming a recent diplomatic meeting on Iraq, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday voiced hope that it would spur progress on key issues, including those affecting its neighbors, which he said must play a constructive role in promoting stability in the country.

"The secretary-general is encouraged by the discussions held in Baghdad on Saturday in preparation of a meeting of foreign ministers of the countries neighboring Iraq," his spokesperson, Michele Montas, said in a statement issued at UN Headquarters in New York.

Ban hoped that the "positive atmosphere of the meeting," will carry over into the "activities of the working groups formed on border security, refugees and internally displaced persons and fuel imports."

The secretary-general sent his Special Representative, Ashraf Qazi, to the conference, which was attended not only by Iraq's neighbors, but also by representatives of the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Through his spokesperson, Ban reiterated his call for "countries around the region and for the international community more broadly to play a constructive role in support of a stable, secure and democratic Iraq."

Meanwhile, in a report released today, the secretary-general warns that the "rising levels of violence, terrorist attacks and sectarian conflict that have gripped large parts of Iraq are increasingly acquiring a self-sustaining dynamic that could overwhelm the country's fragile political processes and institutions."

The report on the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) describes its work in support of the country's political process, but warns that "if the cycle of violence is not brought under control, efforts made over the past several years could be jeopardized."

The report echoes Ban's statement today stressing the importance of dialogue with Iraq's neighbors, while pointing out that only the country's "people themselves can determine their common destiny and agree upon the structure of the Iraqi state."

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki according to a yesterday report said security in Iraq is security in the region adding all participants in the meeting had consensus that they should help establishment of security and stability in Iraq.

Iran's Minister of Information Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei said yesterday that Iraqi officials had requested help from Iran to estalish stability and security in their country and was positively responding to such request. Mohseni Ejei was speaking at a meeting with the visiting Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi, who is currently in Tehran heading a high-ranking political delegation.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is especially concerned with the peace and security situation in Iraq," he said. He rejected a link between Al-Hashimi's current Iran visit and the security meeting held in Baghdad on Saturday, saying "Iraqi officials hold regular meetings with Iranian officials."

An Iranian foreign ministry official had said withdrawal of the occupying troops from Baghdad based on a timetable is the only way to end crisis in Iraq. "What happens in Iraq accounts to a vicious circle: Presence of occupiers encourages more terrorist events and violence and occupiers refer to escalation of tension as the reason for their continued presence there. A timetable is needed to be presented soon so as to end the presence of occupiers," said Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi before leaving Baghdad.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Sunday referred to Baghdad conference as a positive primary measure.
He made the statement in this week's press conference, adding that many countries represented in the event believe that the talks were constructive and straightforward.

"If a similar conference is held at the ministerial level in Baghdad in the near future, such a positive trend can be expected to continue," said Hosseini.

In response to a question whether Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will attend the next conference in Baghdad or Istanbul and whether he will hold talks with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he said, "We have already declared our readiness for such talks with all the parties involved in Iran's nuclear issue with no preconditions.

He said the Iranian delegation, participating at a Conference on Iraq Security, held no direct and face-to-face talks with the US envoys.

US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad had said the United States' is willing to work with any nation that supports the goal of a secure, stable and democratic Iraq during the March 10 Iraq Neighbors Conference in Baghdad. "There should be no exclusivity when it comes to harnessing regional and international support for Iraq," He told delegates in his opening statement, adding "The U.S. will work with any party that is sincerely trying to help."

Previous Stories:
  Maliki: All invitees will attend Baghdad meeting of Iraq neighbors   (3/6/2007)
  Blind revenge acts; ignoring Muslim pledge, may lead Iraq to civil war   (11/27/2006)
  Ahmadinejad: Israeli aggressions on Lebanon aim to revive dead plan of greater Middle East   (8/1/2006)

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