ELVIS
05-26-2006, 09:12 PM
May 27, 2006 (http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2572/html/)
http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2572/html/051786.jpg
Nuri al-Maliki
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 26--Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Friday the presence of a high-ranking Iranian delegation in Iraq shows the firm will of the Iranian government for establishing cordial bilateral relations.
In a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minsitser Manouchehr Mottaki he appealed to Iranians to forgive and forget the past situation in Iraq (the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran) during Saddam Hussein’s rule and called for opening a new chapter in mutual relations.
Mottaki voiced Tehan’s strong support for the new government in Baghdad.
He also called for the release of Iranians held in Iraqi prisoners, IRNA reported.
“Some Iranians, due to their admiration of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and despite the wishes of the Iranian government, enter Iraq illegally for visiting the holy shrines. These people are either arrested by Iraqi forces or abducted by armed groups.“
Maliki, in response to this request, said, “The government has corresponded with the judiciary for the freedom of 72 Iranians held captive in Iraqi prisons and is following up on the matter.“
He expressed hope that Iranian prisoners would be freed in the near future upon the follow-ups of the Iraqi government.
The Iraqi premier said the presence of a high-ranking Iranian delegation in Iraq shows the firm will of the Iranian government for establishing cordial bilateral relations.
He appealed to Iranians to forget the past situation in Iraq (the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran) during Saddam Hussein’s rule and called for opening a new chapter in mutual relations.
Meanwhile, Mottaki expressed his support for Iraq’s new government during a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.
In the highest-level visit of an Iranian official to Iraq since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won power in Tehran last summer, Mottaki confirmed his country’s decision not to hold direct talks with the United States over the situation in Iraq.
“We decided to have such direct talks in the framework of the issue of Iraq, unfortunately the American side tried to use this decision as propaganda and they raised some other issues.“
“Iran considers Iraq a brotherly neighbor and it will work to contribute to the restoration of security and stability in Iraq,“ he added.
The Iraqi foreign minister for his part said, “This new Iraqi government is a friendly government to Iran,“ adding, “Iraq will never again be a threat to Iran,“
“Our government is working to develop and deepen relations with Iran on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in interior affairs,“ he said.
:elvis:
http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2572/html/051786.jpg
Nuri al-Maliki
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 26--Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Friday the presence of a high-ranking Iranian delegation in Iraq shows the firm will of the Iranian government for establishing cordial bilateral relations.
In a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minsitser Manouchehr Mottaki he appealed to Iranians to forgive and forget the past situation in Iraq (the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran) during Saddam Hussein’s rule and called for opening a new chapter in mutual relations.
Mottaki voiced Tehan’s strong support for the new government in Baghdad.
He also called for the release of Iranians held in Iraqi prisoners, IRNA reported.
“Some Iranians, due to their admiration of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and despite the wishes of the Iranian government, enter Iraq illegally for visiting the holy shrines. These people are either arrested by Iraqi forces or abducted by armed groups.“
Maliki, in response to this request, said, “The government has corresponded with the judiciary for the freedom of 72 Iranians held captive in Iraqi prisons and is following up on the matter.“
He expressed hope that Iranian prisoners would be freed in the near future upon the follow-ups of the Iraqi government.
The Iraqi premier said the presence of a high-ranking Iranian delegation in Iraq shows the firm will of the Iranian government for establishing cordial bilateral relations.
He appealed to Iranians to forget the past situation in Iraq (the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran) during Saddam Hussein’s rule and called for opening a new chapter in mutual relations.
Meanwhile, Mottaki expressed his support for Iraq’s new government during a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.
In the highest-level visit of an Iranian official to Iraq since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won power in Tehran last summer, Mottaki confirmed his country’s decision not to hold direct talks with the United States over the situation in Iraq.
“We decided to have such direct talks in the framework of the issue of Iraq, unfortunately the American side tried to use this decision as propaganda and they raised some other issues.“
“Iran considers Iraq a brotherly neighbor and it will work to contribute to the restoration of security and stability in Iraq,“ he added.
The Iraqi foreign minister for his part said, “This new Iraqi government is a friendly government to Iran,“ adding, “Iraq will never again be a threat to Iran,“
“Our government is working to develop and deepen relations with Iran on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in interior affairs,“ he said.
:elvis: