Iraqi Premier Tells Iran Not to Fear U.S. Presence

Even Maliki knows the value of diplomacy; gramps should take lessons-or not.


Iraqi Premier Tells Iran Not to Fear U.S. Presence

By ANDREW E. KRAMER
Published: June 9, 2008


BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, sought to soothe Iranian opposition to a long-term American military presence in Iraq by offering assurances in Tehran on Sunday that American bases would not be used to attack Iran.

“We will not allow Iraq to become a platform for harming the security of Iran and its neighbors,” Mr. Maliki said, according to the Iranian state-run news agency, IRNA, which reported that he met with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the second day of a three-day visit.

The Iraqi prime minister also held talks with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Vice President Parviz Davoudi, among other officials.

Iran has made no secret that it opposes a long-term security pact, currently being negotiated by American and Iraqi officials, which among other things would address the future of American bases in Iraq. Iranian authorities have spoken against the agreement in the past week, saying it would harm the interests of the Iraqi people.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/world/middleeast/09iraq.html?_r=1&ref=world&oref=slogin

If the hens had any sense, they would ignore such advice.

your lives. Get real.