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| Tuesday, 23 November 2004 |
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Iran says it supports any initiative leading to end of Iraq occupation TEHRAN, Monday (AFP) Iran said Monday it backed any plan that would lead to a departure of US troops from neighbouring Iraq, and called on the United States to respond publicly to Tehran's offer to help it leave the "quagmire". "We support all initiatives that aim to bring an end to the occupation, and we are ready to help anyone to bring an end to the occupation as quickly as possible," government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh told reporters. "If the Americans do not want our help, they should say so out loud," he added, referring to an offer made last week by President Mohammad Khatami to help the Americans get out of a "quagmire" in Iraq. "If the Americans want to stay in their quagmire, they can stay there," the spokesman said. "What counts for us is security in Iraq, and this corresponds to our national interests." He was speaking before the start of a two-day conference on Iraq's future at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Iran has sent Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi to the international meeting, but has ruled out the prospect of any direct talks there with the United States. Washington and Tehran cut ogf diplomatic relations shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution and in 2002 Bush lumped Iran into an "axis of evil". Tehran continues to be accused by Washington of supporting terrorism, aiding Iraqi insurgents and seeking nuclear weapons. |
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