Duleimi- Shamakhani: no one can prevent cooperation between Iraq and Iran

The Iraqi and Iranian defense ministers on Thursday in Tehran said that Iraq will start military cooperation in the field of fighting terrorism with Iran, and that it guarantees to Tehran that its land will not be used for launching attacks against it. The two ministers stressed no body can prevent their countries from their cooperation.

The Iraqi defense minister Sadoun al-Duleimi said in a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ali Shamkhani "I came to Iran to apologize for what Saddam Hussein had committed and the same initiative should be made with Kuwait and other victims of Saddam Hussein."

But the Iraqi minister ruled out the departure of the foreign forces from Iraq, as demanded by Iran, stressing that "at the meantime, should foreign forces leave Iraq, only disorder and chaos will continue to remain."

To make assurances for the Iranians who express concern over being exposed to the American aggression, al-Duleimi said "Iraq will not be the source of insecurity or instability for any of its neighbors, and nobody can use its lands to attack Iraq's neighbors."

Shamakhani, for his part, announced the foundation of a joint committee for military cooperation and training and against terrorism, and to discuss in the files of war missing of the years 1980-1988, and for dismantling mines.

Shamakhani said that the military committee which was formed in the course of the military agreement signed on Thursday aims at "giving equipment to the Iraqi army and that the aim is to found an independent Iraqi army." Al-Duleimi stressed the US cannot oppose cooperation between the two countries, noting that "we will cooperate with each other.. no body can prevent this cooperation." Shamakhani also said replying to a question on a possible objection by the US for the Iraqi - Iranian military cooperation "no body can prevent us from reaching an agreement."

However, the two ministers admitted that pending issues are still there unsolved including the peace treaty and the war loses. Concerning the war loses, Iran asks to be compensated. Duleimi said "We came to our Iranian brothers asking them for help and we did not tackle sensitive issues." He added "our Iranian brothers promised us of USD one billion of aid in the forms of loans."