Khatami: Iran ready for cooperation with Iraq in all fields
IRNA
Tehran, Dec 16, IRNA -- Iran on Tuesday offered its hand for cooperation with Iraq following the capture of Saddam Hussein who led a destructive war between 1980 and 1988 against the Islamic Republic. "Iran is ready for cooperation with the oppressed Iraqi people in all fields without seeking to interfere in their internal affairs," President Mohammad Khatami told Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum in a meeting held here. The Iraqi minister outlined his ministry`s plans for rehabilitating the country`s oil industry, asking for Tehran`s technical and specialized assistance, including for helping Iraq overcome its problem of fuel shortage. Khatami announced Iran`s readiness for cooperation in the oil and energy field and tackling problems which are dogging the industry. The Iranian president described Iraq a "powerful and wealthy" state and called on world countries to help it revive its economic power in order to restore peace to the country as well as the region and the world. The Iranian and Iraqi nations, Khatami said, suffered irreparable human losses on top of material damage from the imposed war under Saddam. Touching on the jubilation of both Iranians and Iraqis following the capture of the former dictator, he said, "Oppression and injustice is answered even in this world." Khatami hoped the total sovereignty of Iraq would be fully redeemed with the end of the country`s occupation. Al-Uloum stressed the need for forging strong and strategic relations between Iran and Iraq and hoped that ties between the two neighbors would be expanded in all fields. BH/212 End
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