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US should withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible, says Khatami

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, Nov 1, IRNA
UK Interview-Khatami
Former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami says that he would advise US President George W. Bush to withdraw his troops from Iraq and replace them with an international force.

"In my opinion, the United States should pull out of Iraq as soon as possible," Khatami told Channel Four News during a five-day visit to the UK.

He suggested that the troops be replaced by an international force, including from Islamic and neighbouring countries and even western states, "to reinforce the central government of Iraq." Khatami, now director of the International Foundation for Dialogue among Civilisations, was speaking after being awarded Tuesday with an honorary doctorate by St Andrews University in Scotland "in recognition of his efforts to encourage interfaith dialogue." With regard to the quagmire in Iraq caused by the US-led invasion, he said that at the moment the Americans are thinking they are the "one and only in charge of Iraq's problems."

"But the peace, stability and development of Iraq are important to countries of the region," the former Iranian president said, adding that the ground could be prepared to help resolve the problems under the auspices of the United Nations.

He revealed that Iran and the US had previously agreed to discuss Iraq's problems, but said that Washington had not shown the same interest as they earlier.

Khatami also categorically rejected some Western attempts to try to blame Iran for some of Iraq's problems, stressing Tehran "does not have any military involvement" but had "very good relations with the government of Iraq".

"Anything that contributes to insecurity or adds to the violence in Iraq, the first one to lose would be Iran," he maintained.

The former Iranian president further clarified that in Iran's nuclear programme, "there is no aim or goal to achieve weapons and that there would be no deviation."

Despite Israel having up to 400 nuclear warheads and India and Pakistan becoming atomic states, he said "Iran does not have any intention" to do the same, Khatami added.

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