Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Iran Tells US To Set Timetable For Iraq Exit
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 3-11-2007 | Colin Freeman

Posted on 03/10/2007 4:35:11 PM PST by blam

Iran tells US to set timetable for Iraq exit

By Colin Freeman in Baghdad, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 12:24am GMT 11/03/2007

Iranian officials last night demanded a timetable for US troop withdrawal from Iraq as they attended a rare meeting with American diplomats in Baghdad.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi

The conference was aimed at stopping Iraq being used as a sectarian battleground by Sunni and Shia neighbours. Iran has been accused of funding Shia death squads in the Iraqi capital and smuggling in roadside bomb technology that allows insurgents to kill coalition troops.

Yesterday's conference, attended by all of Iraq's neighbours, backed plans for further meetings next month to set up working groups to discuss problems over border security and refugees.

The US ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, made it clear that Iraq's neighbours, including Syria and Iran, had to stop encouraging or ignoring influxes of insurgent and sectarian fighters. "Iraq's neighbours can only be counted as providing 'true and honest' support to Iraq's stability if they act decisively to halt the flow of fighters, weapons and other lethal support to militias and other illegal armed groups, and cease sectarian rhetoric and other propaganda that could incite violence," he said.

Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiyar Zebari described the discussion between the US, Iran and Syria as "a lively exchange" and said it had been constructive.

The British ambassador, Dominic Asquith, said it had been a positive meeting.

But Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Abbas Araghchi, used the occasion to accuse the international forces in Iraq of playing a double game.

"It will help resolve the problem of violence if they set a timetable for withdrawal of their troops from Iraq," he said. He condemned attacks on religious places and gatherings five days after a double suicide attack on a crowd of Shia pilgrims killed at least 117 Iraqis in the central city of Hilla.

The meeting was a "test" of whether the United States was serious in trying to solve Iraq's problems. "Teheran stands ready to help bring peace and stability to Iraq," he said. Earlier, Mr Khalilzad and Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, had called on neighbouring countries to halt the supply of weapons and recruits to sectarian armed groups fighting in Iraq.

Mr Khalilzad urged other world powers to do more to help Iraq and, in an apparent reference to Iranian demands for the release of five of their citizens detained in Iraq earlier this year, said the US would continue to act against foreign interference.

Mr Maliki warned that Iraq's growing sectarian bloodshed could spill across the Middle East. He told the conference: "The future of Iraq and the Middle East is the defining issue of our time."

The threat posed by the insurgency was spelled out a few minutes later when three mortar rounds detonated next to the foreign ministry, where the conference was being held, and a bomber slammed a truck laden with explosives into an army checkpoint at the entrance to Sadr City, two miles away, killing at least 26 people.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran; iraq; muhammadsminions; timetable; us
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-37 last
To: blam
They must be talking to the DemonicRats...

Related thread ( I posted this NY Times piece):

NY Times: Democrats Steer the War in Iraq in Fits and Starts ^

21 posted on 03/10/2007 5:24:57 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (The DemonicRATS believe ....that the best decisions are always made after the fact.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam; All
"Iranian officials last night demanded a timetable for US troop withdrawal from Iraq..."

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

22 posted on 03/10/2007 5:30:42 PM PST by musicman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Isnt it funny how the Iranians and the democrats think alike?

Well not so funny.I wouldnt be surprised if they arent working together.


23 posted on 03/10/2007 6:00:10 PM PST by sgtbono2002 (I will forgive Jane Fonda, when the Jews forgive Hitler.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam
Iranian officials last night demanded a timetable for US troop withdrawal from Iraq as they attended a rare meeting with American diplomats in Baghdad.

Democrat traitors are working on it for Iran.

24 posted on 03/10/2007 6:05:14 PM PST by af_vet_1981 (Waiting for Samson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Iran talks and the dems listen. Who woulda thunk it?


25 posted on 03/10/2007 6:09:17 PM PST by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Do any of you guys (or gals) remember the t-shirts that were printed in the late 70s/early 80s during the Iran hostage crisis that said "Hey Iran! Up yours!" and which had a picture of Mickey Mouse giving the middle-finger. That t-shirt just came to mind.


26 posted on 03/10/2007 6:14:04 PM PST by Bishop_Malachi (Liberal Socialism - A philosophy which advocates spreading a low standard of living equally.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Be proud, we just gave "peace a chance".


27 posted on 03/10/2007 6:15:13 PM PST by Grateful One
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Note to Self: Forward to Pelosi to act as new Dem talking points.


28 posted on 03/10/2007 6:27:47 PM PST by FastCoyote
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam
Iran Tells US To Set Timetable For Iraq Exit

Who do they think they are, DemocRATs???

29 posted on 03/10/2007 7:11:01 PM PST by NonValueAdded (Prevent Glo-Ball Warming ... turn out the sun when not in use)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Stepan12
Their is little to no difference between the ENEMIES of the UNITED STATES and the Democrat[ic] Party!!

It is astounding to me that the people of our nation do NOT understand this....They both HATE America, their rhetoric is the same and their GOALS are the same.

Why it is not obvious is beyond my comprehension!!

30 posted on 03/10/2007 7:15:33 PM PST by PISANO
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Stepan12

What you said!


31 posted on 03/10/2007 7:17:16 PM PST by Judith Anne (Thank you St. Jude for favors granted.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: blam

This is rich!!! The Dummies kowtowing to Iranians again....lI mean is this SO 1979 or what!!!The next thing you'll know we'll see Jimmuh and Pelosuh out there trying to "dialogue" with these nuts "for th' sake of our boas over theh"


32 posted on 03/10/2007 7:23:00 PM PST by mo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam
Well, we can't give a 'timetable' on exiting Iraq, but, uh..If you'd give us a 'timetable' on stopping the terrorist support in Iraq, then we might be able to give a 'ballpark date'.

Otherwise, we may give you a 'timetable' on when you can expect your nuclear sites to turn into rubble. :>)

33 posted on 03/10/2007 7:40:27 PM PST by SlightOfTongue
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SlightOfTongue
Send the Democrats to Iran that could be fun.
34 posted on 03/11/2007 8:59:11 AM PDT by fatez ("If you're going through Hell, keep going." Winston Churchill)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: blam
It was a waste of time to have a meeting with the intransigent Iranians over any issue, but especially this one since they are a source of a large part of our problems in Iraq.

Jawboning with them simply gives them not only a forum to be insolent, but it also accords their government far more legitimacy than it has.

35 posted on 03/11/2007 9:05:27 AM PDT by snowsislander
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fatez
"Send the Democrats to Iran that could be fun."

Why incur the travel expenses, they can surrender from DC.

36 posted on 03/11/2007 9:45:39 AM PDT by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: blam

bttt


37 posted on 03/11/2007 11:17:09 AM PDT by 1COUNTER-MORTER-68 (THROWING ANOTHER BULLET-RIDDLED TV IN THE PILE OUT BACK~~~~~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-37 last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson