Iran denies receiving 'strong-worded' message from US: press

IRNA (Iranian News) ^ | 12 April 2004 | Unknown

[Cap Huff]

Tehran, April 12, IRNA -- Iran has denied receiving a written message from the United States, allegedly warning Tehran against interfering in Iraq's affairs, press reports said Monday.

"Iran has not received any strong-worded letter, demanding that it give up interfering in Iraq's internal affairs," newspapers on Monday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi as saying.

His statements came in reaction to reports published in several Arab newspapers, alleging that Washington had warned Tehran to steer clear of Iraq, which has seen an upsurge in violence in recent days.

Top US officials have conceded that there was no evidence of the Islamic Republic's involvement in any case of insurgency operations across Iraq.

"We've seen, generally speaking, reports of suggestions of Iranian involvement, collusion, provocation, coordination, et cetera. But I think there's a dearth of hard facts to back these things up," US State Department deputy spokesman Adam Erely has said. The official, quoted by American media, was commenting on reports that Iran was targeting provocative radio broadcasts at Iraqi insurgents.

Iranian press on Monday also cited claims by Abu Dhabi television channel, alleging that Iran's top diplomat in Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, had left Baghdad on the order of the interim Governing Council. "The provisional Governing Council of Iraq has asked Hassan Kazemi Qomi to leave the country for what has been described as his link to recent developments in Iraq," the press quoted the channel as saying.

On Friday, Qomi dismissed as 'rumours' reports that he had been expelled from Iraq.

"It is wrong. I am here. I am working. It is only a rumour," AFP quoted Qomi as saying at the Iranian embassy in central Baghdad.

[Semper Paratus]

Probably because "Stop BullS***ing us" didn't translate into Farsi.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I called the White House last Friday and told them to send this message.

I'm glad they took my advice.........finally!!

[Cap Huff]

Things are happening on this front. This guy Qomi was fingered as a coordinator of unrest in Iraq in a thread from last week. The source said Qomi would be arrested (or expelled?) soon. I've been watching the news about him off and on since.

[Cap Huff]

Can you get them to send one to Syria and Boy Assad too? Thanks.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Can you get them to send one to Syria and Boy Assad too? Thanks.

I was very adamant to include Syria in the warning.

Expect results soon!

[TomGuy]

"Iran has not received any strong-worded letter, demanding that it give up interfering in Iraq's internal affairs," newspapers on Monday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi as saying.

Tehran Asefi [Ralph?] is comparable to Bagdad Bob.

We did not receive that letter that we are using for toilet paper.

[Cap Huff]

FYI. This contradicts an earlier story that suggested he had been expelled.

This relates to the diplomat reference in the thread "This just in from a student inside of Iran" which was posted here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1112423/posts

[truthandlife]

Iran fueling Iraqi rebels (Arab media report training, $70 million given monthly)

[mrsmith]

Me thinks the Iranian doth protest too much.

[Tribune7]

"Iran has not received any strong-worded letter, demanding that it give up interfering in Iraq's internal affairs," newspapers on Monday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi as saying. "All we got was this dead fish. We can't figure it out."

[Cap Huff]

Your not kidding!

[Cap Huff]

The head was cut off.