Larijani: US accusations against Iran described as a 'joke'
Iraq-Iran-USA, Politics, 4/23/2007

Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani today dismissed as "a very big joke" the claim of the US Defense Secretary Robert Gates that Iran assists al-Qaida.

"In my opinion, that's a very big joke. They themselves know this pretty well. They (Americans) are aware of our difference with al-Qaida better than any one else," said Larijani in a press conference today.

Larijani said, "We have never supported such terrorist movements, rather we are opposing them. They are involved in some activities which we have always resisted." He blamed the US and Israeli intelligence services for the Shiite -Sunni row in Iraq.

"In Iraq, they once fanned the Shiite-Sunni conflict. It was obvious that the US and Israeli (intelligence) services were behind this. Iran's diplomatic efforts and approaches pointed finger at them. Under present circumstances, it has become clear to them that extremists either in Afghanistan or Iraq are those coming from and supported by the US allies," he added.

It is not clear which US allies he was referring to, but it has been noted by reports previously of the support of many Saudi citizens and gulf states to such organization.

As for London's claim that Iran has a role in Basra unrest, Larijani said, "I think nobody would believe in these things because the only country -- which has perhaps been showing fully in practice that is ready to contribute into restoration of stability and security in Iraq and assisting the government of Nuri al-Maleki -- is the Islamic Republic of Iran and this is something that Americans, Britons and other countries know quite well," he said.

He said in Iraq there are some terrorist wings which have now become active and are especially dispatched to the country and supported by the US allies.

On Iran's participation in Iraq conference, due to be held in Sharm al-Sheikh, Egypt, Larijani said there are ambiguities on nature, purpose and intention of the meeting which need to be clarified.

"The system, purpose and goal of any institution to which a country is to join should be clarified. As for Sharm al-Sheikh, I should say these points have not been clear to us and they should be clarified so that we can make necessary decisions," he said.

Asked to comment on venue of Iraq conference, Larijani said, "I do not know the reason. I can neither judge on the issue. Wherever the meeting is held, the ambiguities should be removed so that Iran can take part in it." On softening of Americans' tone towards Iran, Larijani said, "The way you ask shows that you think our problem with the US is an emotional one. Had it been so, the problem would have been solved very easily. But our problem with the US has a rational basis and the problems lie in US approach. Diplomacy is more in need of political action than rhetoric. We do not wish to decide through media. Already too, they had sent messages and we transferred our views to them. I think they are wise enough to understand that the problem should follow its diplomatic course and be handled formally."

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Iran to take part in a meeting on Iraq on March 5. She told the Financial Times it would be a "missed opportunity" if Tehran failed to attend.

In an interview published today, Rice also denied the Iran policy of President George W. Bush's administration had been directed at government change.

As for Syria, another of Iraq's neighbors, the secretary of state said, "We have diplomatic relations with Syria. And it is not a matter of having an allergy to talking to certain states.

"But we have the neighbors' conference coming up. We'll have a chance to, in a sense, test the proposition that Iraq's neighbors have more to lose from an unstable Iraq than to gain from it."

"It is very clear in the package of proposals that were put forward would open up some possibilities of economic and political dialogue, even advantage. We removed our WTO objection so that Iran could apply for WTO membership. I think (America's stance) is perfectly clear."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said Iran would decide after talks this week with Iraq's foreign minister whether it would take part in an international conference next month to discuss the conflict in neighboring Iraq.

An Iranian newspaper reported earlier this month that Iran might not attend if US forces do not release five Iranians they are holding in Iraq.

But Hosseini said Iran had not linked the meeting with other issues.
"About participating or not participating, or the level of participation, this is still under examination," he said.

Hosseini yesterday said that Iran is optimistic about the outcome of Iraq-US talks on the release of Iranian diplomats kidnapped by US troops in northern Iraq, adding that efforts to this end continue.

Previous Stories:
  Iranian diplomat kidnapped in Iraq claims torture   (4/9/2007)
  Zebari: Iran seeks meeting with kidnapped diplomats   (4/9/2007)
  Iran says Khalilzad's accusations not true   (3/26/2007)

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