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Iranian president welcomes election of Talabani as Iraq president

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, April 7, IRNA
President-Iraq-Iraq
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami Thursday congratulated veteran Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani on his election as the new Iraqi president, announcing Tehran's readiness for any cooperation and assistance.

"I am pleased with the election of Your Excellency as the president of the Iraqi transitional government," Khatami said in a message to Talabani.

"The Iraqi nation, with their magnificent electoral show, indicated that they want to determine the fate of their country through the choice of elected representatives without outside interference.

"Our Iraqi brothers and sisters face a sensitive and decisive juncture in the annals of Iraq's history and we hope to see the establishment of a secure, free and independent Iraq through the vigilance and unity of the entire Iraqi nation and under the prudence of Your Excellency and other esteemed Iraqi officials."
President Khatami further announced Iran's readiness for 'any cooperation and necessary assistance to the Iraqi government and nation'.

The Transitional National Assembly on Wednesday elected Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani for the job of president. Two vice presidents were elected to serve alongside him on a three-man presidential council.

Tehran and Baghdad are hardly healed from the scars of a destructive war which the two countries fought between 1980 and 1988 after the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Iran.

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::IRNA No.028 07/04/2005 13:38 --End