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Iran Probes Possible Detention Of Iraqi Sailors

18 January 2006 -- Iran's envoy in Baghdad says Tehran is investigating Iraqi claims that Iranian forces over the weekend seized a coast guard patrol.

Hasan Kazemi-Qomi said the investigation should yield answers soon, but added that Iraqi vessels had crossed into Iranian waters.

Tehran initially denied reports of the naval skirmish, which occurred near the southern Iraqi city of Al-Basrah.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani conceded ion 17 January that the Iraqi coast guard may have inadvertently strayed across the border.

The issue is being seen as a test case of relations between the two countries, which fought a war in the 1980s.

(compiled from agency reports)

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org