Talabani: Sovereign Iraq cannot be prevented from approaching Iran
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Ilam, Nov 21, IRNA
Iran-Iraq-Talabani
No world country, including the US, would dare stop Baghdad from approaching Tehran since Iraq is an independent state, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was quoted as saying Sunday evening.
The Iraqi TV network, also monitored in this western provincial city, quoted Talabani as saying that since Iraq regained independence and sovereignty through elections and in compliance with
international law, the country is free to make its own decisions regardless of the wishes of other countries.
Referring to certain anti-Iran statements made by some Iraqi officials during press conferences, Talabani stressed that he had ordered Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naquib to be cautious when it comes to anti-Iran statements.
"If we come across any problem with Tehran, we will personally discuss it with the Iranian officials," Talabani said, stressing that he would not want to see Baghdad-Tehran relations damaged by comments made by the press or any other individual.
Talabani stressed that comments made by any of Iraq's officials about Iran would definitely be his or her personal view and would have nothing to do with Baghdad's official position on the matter.
The Iraqi president further said he had instructed Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and his cabinet members to comment only on matters within the purview of their respective ministries and avoid commenting on Iraq's relations with other states which, he said, falls within the jurisdiction of the ministry of foreign affairs.
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