Posted on 01/17/2007 11:23:23 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
One of Iraq's most powerful Shia politicians has condemned the arrest of Iranians by US forces in Iraq as an attack on the country's sovereignty. The comments by Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, made in a BBC interview, are seen as the strongest expression yet of Iraq's concern about the US approach to Iran.
They follow two recent US raids in which Iranians were arrested. The remarks are interesting as Mr Hakim is seen as close to President Bush, says the BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad. Late last year, US troops descended on Mr Hakim's residential compound in Baghdad and detained two Iranian officials. They were later released, but last week, five more were detained at the Iranian liaison office in Irbil. They are still being held. US officials say they are linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard which they allege trains and arms Iraqi insurgents. Delicate balance Iran, which has demanded their immediate release, says they are diplomats engaged in legitimate work. Iraq has sought to bring about a dialogue between the US, Iran and Syria, Mr Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, told the BBC.
Any tension between Washington and Tehran might have adverse consequences for Iraq, he said.
"Regardless of the Iranian position we consider these actions as incorrect," Mr Hakim said. "They represent a kind of attack on Iraq's sovereignty and we hope such things are not repeated."
On Sunday, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that Iraq needed a constructive relationship with Iran. "We can't change the geographical reality that Iran is our neighbour. This is a delicate balance and we are treading a very thin line. "We fully respect the views, policies and strategy of the United States, which is the strongest ally to Iraq, but the Iraqi government has national interests of its own," Mr Zebari said. Mr Hakim is said to be close to President George W Bush and has backed his new plan for Iraq. Speaking after a lengthy meeting with Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, Mr Hakim said that, under the plan, Iraqi security forces would be in charge for the first time in four years, while the multinational troops provide support. "This came about at the request of the Iraqis. They met and decided to carry out these operations and be fully responsible while the multinational forces support them," said Mr Hakim.
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IRANIAN ARRESTED IN ERBIL IS WANTED IN AUSTRIA
AKI ^ | 1/17/07
Posted on 01/17/2007 6:19:37 AM PST by Valin
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Iran, which has demanded their immediate release, says they are diplomats engaged in legitimate work.
So there we have it.....
Iranians say assassination is legitimate diplomatic work.....
fyi
So who will be surprised when some of the "top Iraqis" turn out to be in Iran's pocket?
This is the guy who had his own house raided and two Iranians siezed. Why note quote a Iranian terrorist as far as credibility goes.
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Tehran, 17 Jan. (AKI) - One of the five Iranians arrested last week by the US army in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil is wanted in Austria in connection with the assassination of Kurdish leader Andol Rahman Ghassemlu in 1989. Mahommad Jaafari Sharoudi was one of five Iranian officials detained last week in the Kurdish-controlled city on charges of being connected to a faction of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Pasdaran, that funds and arms insurgents in Iraq.
It would be just too bad if something unfortunate happened to him and all of his. Oops!
It would be fun to see us align with certain Sunni's to get rid of certain trouble making Shia's....let the good times roll....
The question is : Which side is Abdel Aziz al-Hakim on?
I hope we are diligently coercing them to explain their reasons for being in Iraq. Last I heard, it wasn't a popular vacation destination. What diplomatic business might they be on?
bump
Hakim...is yet another of those
Iraqi "leaders" who spent their
Saddam inspired "exiles" in Iran.
Anyone who promotes Iran needs to be taken out of the picture - we know what Iran stands for and this guy is Sadr's son-in-law. I think Hakam needs to be arrested or shot, possibly both.
Iran must be putting the squeeze on all of them.
Hey Hosey:
We fully respect the views, policies and strategy of Iraq, so long as it does not harbor forces interested in killing American's and destabilizing delicate democracy American troops have made possible for the Iraqi people. And that better be your policy too!
Seems to me like this has been a problem from the onset. If my memory is correct..Chalibi, our hand picked Iraqi president prior to the war (the guy who sat next to Laura at one of the major speeches), was drummed out of the country for selling (or giving) classified information to Iranians.
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