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Iran challenges Paul Bremer`s claims about al Qaeda movements

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 1, IRNA -- Iran challenged on Sunday Iraq`s US governor 
Paul Bremer`s allegations that members of al Qaeda had fled to Iran 
from Iraq, calling on him to back up his claims with proof if there 
was any. 
"Mr. Bremer must present evidence in order to substantiate the 
accuracy of his allegations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza 
Asefi told reporters here during a weekly press briefing. 
"We have already announced that our borders are being controlled 
up to a very high degree and we do not allow any illegal movements 
(inside our territory) and that we will legally deal with any al Qaeda
members whom we may find," he added. 
Iran has arrested several hundred members of Osama bin Laden`s al 
Qaeda network and handed some of them over to their country of 
origin, while holding others. 
Tehran has said it intends to place a dozen jailed suspects of 
the terror network on trial on criminal charges committed on the 
Iranian territory. 
Last December, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi confirmed bombing 
threats made by al-Qaeda against Iran, which is fiercely opposed to 
the extremist group. 
"Iran has always been a victim of terrorism, especially posed by 
al-Qaeda," he said. 
IRAQI ELECTIONS 
Asked to make his own assessment about the feasibility of 
elections in Iraq, Asefi said, "This is an issue for the Iraqi 
officials and the country`s people and its (clerical) sources of 
emulation as well as all the key and influential groups in Iraq to 
decide." 
"What is clear is that the occupiers must ultimately leave Iraq`s 
fate to its own people to decide and do not let insecurity to persist 
there," he added. 
BH/210 
End