At Sharm el-Sheikh gathering, US and Iran's focus on Iraq
Iraq-Iran-USA, Politics, 5/7/2007

Iran's Head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said yesterday that during the international conference on Iraq, the US had focused on drawing support from the Europeans to help improve the situation in Iraq.

He told reporters that support for Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki's government, giving momentum to the international campaign against terrorism, were the achievements of the conference in Egypt on May 3-4.

He said that the conference threw weight behind those responsible for Iraqi security and strengthening the Iraqi police and security forces.

Boroujerdi said that the final statement of the conference and the stance declared in it are in line with Iran's policies.

Concerning the statement of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice both before and after the conference, he said that President George W. Bush's Administration has decided to resume relations with Iran. "The US is expected to present a formal request for resumption of relations. However, there was no opportunity for such talks in Sharm el-Sheikh."

He said that Iran seeks with great importance the reduction of security shortfalls and preventing bloodbath in Iraq.

He recalled recent visit to Baghdad of Secretary of Iranian Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and said that besides discussing political and security issues with Iraqi officials, Larijani prepared the ground for the families of the Iranian diplomats detained in Iraq to meet them.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had said, " contrary to the spiteful claims of certain mass media, Iran has always been part of solution in the region." Speaking in a press conference Friday, Mottaki said, "Iran has always tried to establish security and stability in Iraq as it had done the same in reconstruction and establishment of security in Afghanistan."

He went on to say, "Iran was one of the few countries that condemned Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, while some regional countries supported former Iraqi regime and its imposed war against Iran." Mottaki added, " Iran has allocated 5 billion dollars to help rebuild Iraq, especially in infrastructure projects and construction of hospitals and schools."

Mottaki underlined the necessity of training Iraqi security and police forces and putting the country's security under their care. He called for a timetable for foreign forces withdrawal from Iraq and support for current elected government of Iraq as the best way to establish peace and security in Iraq.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Iran's Substitute leader of Tehran Friday prayers Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said here the west wants to install a puppet regime in Iraq adding the region does not need guardians to make decisions for it. Ayatollah Jannati said," Iraqi officials can run their country's affairs and if they need any help, their neighboring countries are ready to give it."

Previous Stories:
  Iran says Iraq pressure has changed US tone towards it   (5/1/2007)
  Larijani: US engaged in secret talks with terrorists   (5/1/2007)
  Larijani: US accusations against Iran described as a 'joke'   (4/23/2007)

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