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Ahmadinejad: Iran ready for talks with US on Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Baghdad, March 3, IRNA
Iran-US-Ahmadinejad
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday that Iran is ready for talks with the US on Iraq's security.

"We are ready for talks. Iran has no problem in helping the Iraqi nation. The dialogue has been pre-planned and will be held based on schedule. On the US request and in order to help the Iraqi government, representatives of three countries (Iran, Iraq and the US) have thus far held three rounds of talks," said President Ahmadinejad at a press conference when asked about the Iran-US talks in presence of Iraq.

Ahmadinejad said that until today, there has been no need to upgrade level of the talks. "It cannot be predicted in the future either," he added.

Asked about the accusations levelled against Iranians in connection with Iraqi Awakening Councils, Ahmadinejad said, "We have not yet heard anything about such charges and the Iraqi party too has not mentioned anything about it. Relations between the two countries are cordial and close and likely incidents on their long borders is something natural."

He stressed that there is rule of law in the two countries and the two governments will manage and remove any such problems.

Asked about fate of the Iraqi imposed war prisoners, Ahmadinejad said both sides have a number of people missing-in-action and are cooperating to clarify their fate.

To a question about his statement that the Iraqi nation does not like Americans, Ahmadinejad said, "The Iraqi nation has throughout history been a nation opposing foreigners and their struggle with foreigners is an honor for them. That's a claim which can be easily proved. I think if they go to Baghdad streets and attend public gatherings, they will understand it."

He said that during their meetings, he and Iraqi officials had touched upon a number of subjects which were in favor of both the Iranian and Iraqi nations.

As for presence of the anti-Iranian terrorists (MKO) in Iraqi territory, Ahmadinejad said, "That's not an important issue. Iraqi officials are busy looking into the problem. They are supported more by foreigners than the Iraqi government."

Also about the Turkish army's military move in northern Iraq, Ahmadinejad said terrorism is against regional interests.

"All should try to deal with terrorism. Campaign against terrorism in the region needs coordination among three countries -- Iran, Turkey and Iraq -- because all the three countries have been suffering from terrorism. For this reason, one should be watchful that national sovereignty of countries is not harmed and ordinary people do not suffer."

Asked whether he had received any message or letter from the US President George W. Bush about his visit, Ahmadinejad said, "I have received no message. We did not have any time to hear others' words." Questioned whether he had had any meeting with Iraqi tribal Sunni chiefs, Ahmadinejad said, "We have good and close relations with all Iraqi social classes and ethnic groups. Yesterday I met with the Iraqi tribes and today Iraqi elite, artists and scholars, who represented different social classes."
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