Posted on 01/12/2007 8:39:30 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Six Iranians held in a US military raid in northern Iraq were working there with the approval of the authorities, Iraq's foreign minister has said. The Iranian liaison office in Irbil did not yet have full consular diplomatic status but it had been operating for years, Hoshyar Zebari said.
The US said it believed the six people seized in Thursday's raid had targeted Iraqi and US-led coalition forces. Russia said the raid was "unacceptable" and a violation of international law. "It is absolutely unacceptable for troops to storm the consular offices of a foreign state on the territory of another state," Russian foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said. "It is also not clear how this fits in with American statements that Washington respects the sovereignty of Iraq," he said. Ambassadors summoned Iraq's foreign minister said details of the detainees had been passed to the Americans. "We contacted the US embassy and submitted all the information available to us on the nature of their work and the place of their work," he said.
"They have been working under the approval of the government." One of the group, seized when US troops stormed the building, has since been released. Mr Zebari said the other five remained in US custody. The troops raided the building at about 0300 (0001GMT), taking away computers and papers, according to local media. AFP news agency quoted Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman as saying he did not know the nationality of the six but said they were "suspected of being closely tied to activities targeting Iraq and coalition forces". The US is adamant that the building did not have diplomatic status. However, Tehran said the attack violated all international conventions. It has summoned ambassadors from Switzerland - representing US interests - and Iraq. A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry described the raid as an attempt to sabotage Tehran's relations with Iraq. One Iranian MP said it showed America's cruelty and meanness. US accusations
The raid comes amid high Iran-US tension. In a major speech on Wednesday, President George W Bush said the US would take a tough stance towards Iran and Syria, whom he accused of destabilising Iraq. BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the raid could signal a ratcheting up of pressure on the Iranians, in line with the rhetorical thrust of his speech. The US also accuses Iran of seeking nuclear arms. Iran denies both charges. Tehran counters that US military involvement in the Middle East endangers the whole region. In December, US troops detained a number of Iranians in Iraq, including two with diplomatic immunity who were later released.
|
The headline is misleading... oh it's BBC!
Here it is again.
The magic word Sovereignty. The great rhetorical term that has made genocide a proud tradition of the international community since 1945.
Of course the Iranians need to have the discretion to instigate ethnic rampages inside Iraq-- it is their Sovereign privilege.
This article speaks volumes about how Russian foreign policy operates as well.
BREAKING NEWS - Top Islamic Iran Strategist Captured in Iraq Raid
The Game is ON....BIG TIME...
hey Iran, remember the embassy takeover in Tehran? Payback's a bitch...
"It is absolutely unacceptable for troops to storm the consular offices of a foreign state on the territory of another state," Russian foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said.Hmm. What was the Soviet reaction when the NVA seized the US embassy in Saigon? Thanks E for the link.
This is where we will see how much of a leader the President is. It's obvious that there would be world outcry. He has to stay the course.
However, Tehran said the attack violated all international conventions. It has summoned ambassadors from Switzerland - representing US interests - and Iraq. A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry described the raid as an attempt to sabotage Tehran's relations with Iraq. One Iranian MP said it showed America's cruelty and meanness....and the 444 day hostage crisis, which was managed by Ahmedumbass himself?
Cut their heads off.
Iranians, under diplomatic cover, has been helping the terrorists in Iraq.
and with U.N approval
***********************************
The press is the propaganda arm of the American left and they have an agenda...see this:
What's that thing, ROFLOL?
It makes me second guess the sincerity of the Kurds.
One has to take a look at the internals of the Iraqi government as well. Is the ministry part of the Sadr faction, the faction funded and controled by Iran?
I can't afford it but would like to read it- could you copy and paste the entire book in htis thread please? lol Read through a few of the comments under hte book- typical lefties come out blasting hte book while the majority liked it- will have to see if I can find it in my library. thanks for hte link
One of the first things that we have done right.
Iraq: Detained Iranians had gov't authorization
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD, Iraq
The five Iranians detained by US-led forces were working in a liaison office that is in the process of being upgraded to a consulate, the Iraqi foreign minister said Friday, while Teheran condemned the raid and urged Iraq to push for the release of those in custody.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said those detained Thursday in the Kurdish-controlled northern city of Irbil were employees in an office that had government approval and had been there for 10 years.
"We are now in the process of changing these offices to consulates," he said. "The request to open offices was approved by the foreign ministry and has been raised to the Cabinet to approve. It is not a new office. This liaison office has been there for a long time."
He also echoed concerns that the United States and Iran were dragging Iraq into their fight.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467721432&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.