US: Iran Tries to Bribe Iraqis Against US Troop Agreement
By VOA News
13 October 2008
The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq says the United States believes Iranian agents have attempted to bribe Iraqi lawmakers.
The Washington Post newspaper Monday quoted General Ray Odierno as saying, Iran is trying to undermine a bilateral agreement that would allow U.S. troops to remain in Iraq after the end of this year.
Odierno told the paper the U.S. has no definitive proof of the bribes. But he said many U.S. intelligence reports suggest Iranians are "coming in to pay off people to vote against it."
There was no immediate reaction from Tehran.
Last week, Iraq's foreign minister said the United States and Iraq are very close to finalizing a deal.
The two sides have been divided over the issue of granting U.S. servicemen and women immunity for any crimes committed in Iraq.
The United Nations' mandate for the multi-national force expires December 31.
U.S. officials have accused Iran's intelligence agencies of supporting insurgent Shi'ite groups in Iraq.
Iranian officials have denied backing Shi'ite militants and blame Iraq's instability on the presence of U.S. troops.
In other news, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says it is time for British troops to leave the country because they are no longer necessary for security and control.
In an interview with The Times newspaper published today, Mr. Maliki thanked the British troops for their help. He said there might be a need for their experience in training Iraqi forces and some technological issues, but that the emphasis is now on business cooperation and friendship.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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