Thursday, August 30, 2007
Iraq dismayed by Ahmadinejad's comments
Region
(Al-Sharqiyah television) - Two parliamentarians told Al-Sharqiyah television in August 28 interviews that they are dismayed by Iranian President Ahmadinejad's comments that Iran is ready to fill a power vacuum in Iraq. Ahmadinejad told reporters in Tehran on August 28: "I truly declare that the political power of the occupiers is on the decline, and the region will witness the emergence of a big power. We are ready to help restore security in the region through collective cooperation with our regional friends and Saudi Arabia," IRNA reported the same day.
Hasan al-Sunayd, a parliamentarian aligned with the Islamic Al-Da'wah Party, told Al-Sharqiyah that Iraq should not be used as a playground to settle scores between the United States and Iran. "Iraqi forces should achieve the required standard to fill the security vacuum.... We do not want Iranian or Saudi forces or any Arab, Islamic, or international forces to replace the U.S. forces. Iraqi forces will fill the security vacuum," he said.
Parliamentarian Usamah al-Nujayfi, a representative of the Iraqis List, told Al-Sharqiyah that he is convinced Iran began interfering in Iraq four years ago "and has infiltrated power circles and has a lot of leverage over the political and social situation in Iraq." He said Ahmadinejad's remarks are tantamount to an admission that Iran is interfering in Iraq.
Labels: Dawa party, Hasan al-Sunayd, Iran, Iraq, Iraqi List, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Usamah al-Nujayfi
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Ahmadinejad says Iran is ready to fill power vacuum in Iraq
Region, Politics
(Gulf News) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared on Tuesday that US political influence in Iraq is "collapsing rapidly" and said his government is ready to help fill any power vacuum. The hard-line leader also defended Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, a fellow Shiite Muslim who has been harshly criticised by American politicians for his unsuccessful efforts to reconcile Iraq's Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.
"The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly," Ahmadinejad said at a news conference, referring to US troops in Iraq. "Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region. Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbors and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."
Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on his remarks, an unusual declaration of Iran's interest in influencing its neighbor's future. The mention of a Saudi role appeared aimed at allaying the fears of Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim nations that Iran wants to dominate in Iraq. Even though Saudi Arabia and Iran have not cooperated in the past, it "doesn't mean it can't happen," Ahmadinejad said.
Iran fought a brutal eight-year war with Saddam Hussein's regime and welcomed the elimination of a deeply hated enemy. But Iran also strongly objects to the presence of America, another rival, over its eastern and western borders in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Occupation is the root of all problems in Iraq," Ahmadinejad said. "It has become clear that occupiers are not able to resolve regional issues. They rudely say (the Iraqi) prime minister and the constitution must change," Ahmadinejad said of US critics. "Who are you? Who has given you the right" to ask for such a change, he added.
Ousting Al Maliki, a longtime Shiite political activist, would require a majority vote in the 275-member Iraqi parliament. As long as the Kurdish parties and the main Shiite bloc back al-Maliki, his opponents lack the votes for that. Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any US military action against Iran, saying Washington has no plan and is not in a position to take such action.
"The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly," Ahmadinejad said at a news conference, referring to US troops in Iraq. "Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region. Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbors and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."
Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on his remarks, an unusual declaration of Iran's interest in influencing its neighbor's future. The mention of a Saudi role appeared aimed at allaying the fears of Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim nations that Iran wants to dominate in Iraq. Even though Saudi Arabia and Iran have not cooperated in the past, it "doesn't mean it can't happen," Ahmadinejad said.
Iran fought a brutal eight-year war with Saddam Hussein's regime and welcomed the elimination of a deeply hated enemy. But Iran also strongly objects to the presence of America, another rival, over its eastern and western borders in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Occupation is the root of all problems in Iraq," Ahmadinejad said. "It has become clear that occupiers are not able to resolve regional issues. They rudely say (the Iraqi) prime minister and the constitution must change," Ahmadinejad said of US critics. "Who are you? Who has given you the right" to ask for such a change, he added.
Ousting Al Maliki, a longtime Shiite political activist, would require a majority vote in the 275-member Iraqi parliament. As long as the Kurdish parties and the main Shiite bloc back al-Maliki, his opponents lack the votes for that. Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any US military action against Iran, saying Washington has no plan and is not in a position to take such action.
Labels: Iran, Iraq, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Nouri Al-Maliki, Saudi Arabia, U.S.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Arab countries fear being cut out by U.S.-Iran talks
Politics, Security, Region
(AP) -- Arab officials and commentators said Tuesday they feared the budding dialogue between Washington and Iran could cut them out of the debate over the future of Iraq, one of the region's most important countries. Many of Iraq's Sunni Muslim-dominated neighbors worry that the U.S.-Iran dialogue could boost Iran's already enormous influence over the Iraqi government and security forces.
Iraq and Iran are both majority Shiite nations. But unlike Iran, which is Persian, most of Iraq's 27 million people are Arabs. "Iraq should not be stripped out of its Arab identity, especially as Iraq is one of the outstanding members and founder of the Arab League," Ahmed ben Heli, the Arab League's undersecretary general told reporters in Cairo on Tuesday.
Iraq and Iran are both majority Shiite nations. But unlike Iran, which is Persian, most of Iraq's 27 million people are Arabs. "Iraq should not be stripped out of its Arab identity, especially as Iraq is one of the outstanding members and founder of the Arab League," Ahmed ben Heli, the Arab League's undersecretary general told reporters in Cairo on Tuesday.
He cautioned that the United States and Iran are "not the only sides ... concerned with the situation in Iraq." "Developments in Iraq should not be conducted away from the Arabs' interests. As neighboring countries, we have interests because Iraq is part of the Arab League," he said. Gulf states fear being dominated by a resurgent Iran that, many believe, could be armed with nuclear weapons in a few years.
Abdulaziz Sager, the director of Dubai-based Gulf Research Center said there were concerns because Monday's talks skirted the issue of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denies U.S. accusations that it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, saying its program is peaceful.
They also fear being sandwiched in a possible U.S.-Iran war in which they would likely become Iranian targets. The U.S. keeps 40,000 troops on bases in Gulf states and another 20,000 in Mideast waters. Ahmadinejad said this month that his country would retaliate against any U.S. attack. He called on Gulf states to evict the American military from the region and instead join a regional alliance with Iran.
The Gulf leaders gave a cold shoulder to Ahmadinejad's courtship, preferring America's security to domination by Iran. For that reason, Arab leaders want Washington to succeed in Iraq, Sager said. They worry that if the Americans leave Iraq too soon, it will fall into Iran's hands. "The Iranians are forging ahead with their plans for the whole area. Their ambitions are endless," said Fouad al-Hashem, a columnist with Kuwait's Al-Watan newspaper.
Abdulaziz Sager, the director of Dubai-based Gulf Research Center said there were concerns because Monday's talks skirted the issue of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denies U.S. accusations that it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons, saying its program is peaceful.
They also fear being sandwiched in a possible U.S.-Iran war in which they would likely become Iranian targets. The U.S. keeps 40,000 troops on bases in Gulf states and another 20,000 in Mideast waters. Ahmadinejad said this month that his country would retaliate against any U.S. attack. He called on Gulf states to evict the American military from the region and instead join a regional alliance with Iran.
The Gulf leaders gave a cold shoulder to Ahmadinejad's courtship, preferring America's security to domination by Iran. For that reason, Arab leaders want Washington to succeed in Iraq, Sager said. They worry that if the Americans leave Iraq too soon, it will fall into Iran's hands. "The Iranians are forging ahead with their plans for the whole area. Their ambitions are endless," said Fouad al-Hashem, a columnist with Kuwait's Al-Watan newspaper.
Labels: Ahmed ben Heli, Arab League, Gulf states, Iran, Iraq, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, U.S.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
British sailors released by Iran
Iran, U.K., Security
(Al Jazeera) - Iran's blame game with Britain over the capture of 15 sailors appears to have been defused after the Iranian president announced they were to be released, but the claim game is just beginning. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country's decision to free the soldiers after 13 days was a gift to the British people.
In the process, his country was able to deflect attention from its nuclear programme and prove it could cause trouble in the Middle East if it wanted to. But it did not get the main thing it sought - a public apology from London for entering Iranian waters. Britain, which said its crew was in Iraqi waters when seized, said it never offered a quid pro quo, but relied on quiet diplomacy.
Tony Blair, the British prime minister, said London's "measured approach" had been effective. "Throughout we have taken a measured approach - firm but calm, not negotiating, but not confronting either," adding a message to the Iranian people that "we bear you no ill will." However, Iran's announcement coincided with the release in Baghdad of an Iranian diplomat seized in Iraq in early February. Iran had blamed US forces for the abduction but the US denied involvement.
Iranian state media also said five Iranian officials captured by US forces in northern Iraq in January and accused of seeking to stir trouble were expected to receive their first visit by an Iranian diplomat soon. But what Iran might have won is a more careful Western approach to the Middle East power. The US says its policy is to arrest Iranians in Iraq who are funnelling arms or money to Shia fighters there. But it may be more cautious if it thinks Iran is willing to retaliate by seizing US troops.
Ahmadinejad said the British government was "not brave enough" to admit the crew had been in Iranian waters when it was captured. But he said Britain had sent a letter to the Iranian foreign ministry pledging that the incident "will not happen again". Britain's foreign ministry would not give details about the letter but said its position was clear that the detained crew had been in Iraqi waters. Ahmadinejad declared that even though Iran had the right to put the Britons on trial, he had "pardoned" them to mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, celebrated on March 30 this year, and the coming Easter holiday.
But it was not just Iran and Britain who were trying to come off looking good in this standoff. Syria, Iran's close ally, said it had played a role in winning the release of the sailors. Walid al-Moallem, Syria's foreign minister, said in Damascus on Wednesday: "Syria exercised a sort of quiet diplomacy to solve this problem and encourage dialogue between the two parties."
The breakthrough appeared to have caught the British government by surprise. On Tuesday, Margaret Beckett, the foreign secretary, had told reporters not to expect a quick end to the standoff. Some analysts say Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, decided the crisis had gone far enough at a time when Tehran faces mounting pressure over its nuclear programme.
Whether that is a sign of internal dissent in Iran or finely honed, clever brinkmanship, Iran clearly gained some things from the dispute - at least enough to make the West cautious that it would be willing to enter into such a standoff again. Observers fear that the 13-day crisis may be precursor of things to come in Iran's confrontations with the West.
In the process, his country was able to deflect attention from its nuclear programme and prove it could cause trouble in the Middle East if it wanted to. But it did not get the main thing it sought - a public apology from London for entering Iranian waters. Britain, which said its crew was in Iraqi waters when seized, said it never offered a quid pro quo, but relied on quiet diplomacy.
Tony Blair, the British prime minister, said London's "measured approach" had been effective. "Throughout we have taken a measured approach - firm but calm, not negotiating, but not confronting either," adding a message to the Iranian people that "we bear you no ill will." However, Iran's announcement coincided with the release in Baghdad of an Iranian diplomat seized in Iraq in early February. Iran had blamed US forces for the abduction but the US denied involvement.
Iranian state media also said five Iranian officials captured by US forces in northern Iraq in January and accused of seeking to stir trouble were expected to receive their first visit by an Iranian diplomat soon. But what Iran might have won is a more careful Western approach to the Middle East power. The US says its policy is to arrest Iranians in Iraq who are funnelling arms or money to Shia fighters there. But it may be more cautious if it thinks Iran is willing to retaliate by seizing US troops.
Ahmadinejad said the British government was "not brave enough" to admit the crew had been in Iranian waters when it was captured. But he said Britain had sent a letter to the Iranian foreign ministry pledging that the incident "will not happen again". Britain's foreign ministry would not give details about the letter but said its position was clear that the detained crew had been in Iraqi waters. Ahmadinejad declared that even though Iran had the right to put the Britons on trial, he had "pardoned" them to mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, celebrated on March 30 this year, and the coming Easter holiday.
But it was not just Iran and Britain who were trying to come off looking good in this standoff. Syria, Iran's close ally, said it had played a role in winning the release of the sailors. Walid al-Moallem, Syria's foreign minister, said in Damascus on Wednesday: "Syria exercised a sort of quiet diplomacy to solve this problem and encourage dialogue between the two parties."
The breakthrough appeared to have caught the British government by surprise. On Tuesday, Margaret Beckett, the foreign secretary, had told reporters not to expect a quick end to the standoff. Some analysts say Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, decided the crisis had gone far enough at a time when Tehran faces mounting pressure over its nuclear programme.
Whether that is a sign of internal dissent in Iran or finely honed, clever brinkmanship, Iran clearly gained some things from the dispute - at least enough to make the West cautious that it would be willing to enter into such a standoff again. Observers fear that the 13-day crisis may be precursor of things to come in Iran's confrontations with the West.
Labels: British sailors, Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Syria, Tony Blair, U.K., Walid al-Moallem
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Ahmadinejad - Iran will free British soldiers as a gift to the British people
U.K., Iran, Security
(AP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran would free the 15 detained British sailors and marines as a gift to the British people. He pardoned the sailors and announced they would be released following a news conference at which he pinned a medal on the chest of the Iranian coast guard commander who intercepted the sailors and marines in the northern Gulf on March 23.
Ahmadinejad said Iran will never accept trespassing in its territorial waters. "On behalf of the great Iranian people, I want to thank the Iranian coast guard who courageously defended and captured those who violated their territorial waters," he said. "We are sorry that British troops remain in Iraq and their sailors are being arrested in Iran," Ahmadinejad said.
He criticized Britain for deploying Leading Seaman Faye Turney, one of the 15 detainees, in the Gulf, pointing out that she is a woman with a child. "How can you justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children? Why don't they respect family values in the West?" he asked of the British government.
Ahmadinejad said Iran will never accept trespassing in its territorial waters. "On behalf of the great Iranian people, I want to thank the Iranian coast guard who courageously defended and captured those who violated their territorial waters," he said. "We are sorry that British troops remain in Iraq and their sailors are being arrested in Iran," Ahmadinejad said.
He criticized Britain for deploying Leading Seaman Faye Turney, one of the 15 detainees, in the Gulf, pointing out that she is a woman with a child. "How can you justify seeing a mother away from her home, her children? Why don't they respect family values in the West?" he asked of the British government.
Labels: British sailors, Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Friday, March 30, 2007
Iran - 'confession' by British sailor to be broadcast
Iran, U.K., Security
(AP) - Iran's official Arabic-language TV channel said Friday it would broadcast a confession by one of the 15 British sailors and marines detained last week in what Tehran insists were its territorial waters. A newscaster on Al-Alam television said the taped confession would show a British sailor explaining how he and his colleagues entered Iranian waters "in an illegal way." He did not identify the sailor, but added the tape would appear later Friday.
Iran has demanded that Britain acknowledge that its sailors had violated Iranian waters, with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki saying Thursday that such an admission would help to secure the release of the 15 service members. Earlier this week, it appeared the two countries were moving toward a resolution of the crisis. Mottaki told reporters Wednesday that the only woman in the group, Faye Turney, would be freed shortly.
However, the Iranians were angered by tough talk out of London, including a freeze on most bilateral contacts and a British move to refer the issue to the U.N. Security Council. On Thursday, the council expressed "grave concern" over Iran's seizure of the military personnel and called for an early resolution of the escalating dispute.
As tensions spiked again Thursday, the Iranians rolled back on their offer to free Turney. On Friday, however, the Turkish prime minister's office said that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had indicated his government is willing to reconsider freeing Turney, who is married and has a young daughter.
Iran has demanded that Britain acknowledge that its sailors had violated Iranian waters, with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki saying Thursday that such an admission would help to secure the release of the 15 service members. Earlier this week, it appeared the two countries were moving toward a resolution of the crisis. Mottaki told reporters Wednesday that the only woman in the group, Faye Turney, would be freed shortly.
However, the Iranians were angered by tough talk out of London, including a freeze on most bilateral contacts and a British move to refer the issue to the U.N. Security Council. On Thursday, the council expressed "grave concern" over Iran's seizure of the military personnel and called for an early resolution of the escalating dispute.
As tensions spiked again Thursday, the Iranians rolled back on their offer to free Turney. On Friday, however, the Turkish prime minister's office said that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had indicated his government is willing to reconsider freeing Turney, who is married and has a young daughter.
Labels: British navy, Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Manouchehr Mottaki, U.K.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Al-Hashimi to visit Ahmadinejad
Politics, Region
(CNN) Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi will meet Monday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran, according to al-Hashimi's office. It is al-Hashimi's first visit to Iran. He is the head of the Iraqi Islamic Party, part of the Iraqi parliament's largest Sunni Arab political bloc. He is one of two vice presidents in Iraq. Iran, like Iraq, is majority Shiite Muslim. On Sunday, al-Hashimi met with his Iranian counterpart, Parviz Davoudi.
According to Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, Davoudi expressed his country's support for a stable and strong Iraq to the visiting delegation. The report said the Iraqi vice president also had positive words about Tehran's role in Iraq. "Al-Hashimi, for his part, expressed gratitude to the Iranian government and nation for going the 'extra mile' to help solve Iraq's problems and for their concern for the people at this time of crisis," according to the IRNA report.
Al-Hashimi arrived in Tehran on Sunday, a day after Iraq hosted a Baghdad security conference attended by Iran and other neighboring countries as well as representatives from the United Nations and United States. Iran's role in Iraq has been criticized by the United States, which says the regime in Tehran has not done enough to stop the flow of weapons into Iraq. The U.S. military says it has evidence those weapons are ending up in the hands of Shiite insurgent groups.
On Sunday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told CNN that he was misquoted by IRNA, which reported that he praised Iran's "constructive" role in Iraq. While acknowledging that Iran has a role in Iraq's future, Zebari said, "The message I gave them yesterday [Saturday] is not to turn Iraq into a battlefield for settling scores with the United States or any other countries at our cost." He said he confronted the Iranian delegates during bilateral meetings at Saturday's conference about "intelligence that weapons, people, some support is coming across the border from the Iranian side."
According to Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, Davoudi expressed his country's support for a stable and strong Iraq to the visiting delegation. The report said the Iraqi vice president also had positive words about Tehran's role in Iraq. "Al-Hashimi, for his part, expressed gratitude to the Iranian government and nation for going the 'extra mile' to help solve Iraq's problems and for their concern for the people at this time of crisis," according to the IRNA report.
Al-Hashimi arrived in Tehran on Sunday, a day after Iraq hosted a Baghdad security conference attended by Iran and other neighboring countries as well as representatives from the United Nations and United States. Iran's role in Iraq has been criticized by the United States, which says the regime in Tehran has not done enough to stop the flow of weapons into Iraq. The U.S. military says it has evidence those weapons are ending up in the hands of Shiite insurgent groups.
On Sunday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told CNN that he was misquoted by IRNA, which reported that he praised Iran's "constructive" role in Iraq. While acknowledging that Iran has a role in Iraq's future, Zebari said, "The message I gave them yesterday [Saturday] is not to turn Iraq into a battlefield for settling scores with the United States or any other countries at our cost." He said he confronted the Iranian delegates during bilateral meetings at Saturday's conference about "intelligence that weapons, people, some support is coming across the border from the Iranian side."
Labels: Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Iran, Iraqi Islamic Party, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Parviz Davoudi, Tariq al-Hashimi
