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Iran `laughing` at US-British allegations of meddling in Iraq
Tehran, May 30: US and British allegations of Iranian interference in Iraq were laughed off by Iran`s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi today, who in turn accused Washington of seeking to strip Iraqis of their rights and impose a puppet government.
Tehran, May 30: US and British allegations of Iranian interference in Iraq were laughed off by Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi today, who in turn accused Washington of seeking to strip Iraqis of their rights and
impose a puppet government.
"These accusations make us laugh. These countries have occupied Iraq and then they accuse us of interfering," the minister told reporters. These accusations are totally false".
"The United States has a long term programme in Iraq. They want to strip Iraqis of their most basic right which is to determine their future, prevent the Iraqis from choosing their own government and impose an American government," he alleged.
Kharazi then challenged the coalition powers controlling Iraq to "organise a referendum tomorrow, and we will accept the government chosen by Iraqis on the condition that you also accept it."
Referring to the role of certain Shiite groups suspected of undermining the US-British presence in Iraq, Kharazi explained that "some Iraqi organisations are undertaking social activities in the cities and are popular.
"Perhaps they can take part in a future government," he added, asserting that "it is better to look after people when the occupiers have no interest in the plight of Iraqis."
The comment was a clear reference to the Iranian-backed Supreme Assembly for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SAIRI), a hardline Shiite group that has its own armed wing and has begun putting in place a network of social support mechanisms modelled along those managed by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.
Bureau Report
"The United States has a long term programme in Iraq. They want to strip Iraqis of their most basic right which is to determine their future, prevent the Iraqis from choosing their own government and impose an American government," he alleged.
Kharazi then challenged the coalition powers controlling Iraq to "organise a referendum tomorrow, and we will accept the government chosen by Iraqis on the condition that you also accept it."
Referring to the role of certain Shiite groups suspected of undermining the US-British presence in Iraq, Kharazi explained that "some Iraqi organisations are undertaking social activities in the cities and are popular.
"Perhaps they can take part in a future government," he added, asserting that "it is better to look after people when the occupiers have no interest in the plight of Iraqis."
The comment was a clear reference to the Iranian-backed Supreme Assembly for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SAIRI), a hardline Shiite group that has its own armed wing and has begun putting in place a network of social support mechanisms modelled along those managed by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.
Bureau Report