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Iraq rejects Franco-German proposal; Khatami slams U.S. policy
Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri has said that although he had not yet seen full details of the Franco-German initiative aimed at solving the Iraqi crisis, Iraq was opposed to its call for an international force. Speaking to the Arabic Al Hayat newspaper, the Iraqi minister said that while Iraq appreciated anti-war initiatives, this particular plan served US interests. "Not a single Iraqi would accept conditions that add to the Iraqi people's burdens and difficulties. We have not read the initiative's details. As to the leaked reports that it calls for sending international forces and such things, then no Iraqi can accept this," Sabri was quoted as saying. "We do not doubt some international parties' keenness to confront and reject the logic of war and aggression, but we believe that presenting ideas in this form ultimately serves the logic of war and aggression that this evil Zionist (US) administration voices," the minister conveyed.
Good, I was slightly worried they might go along with this French/German plan. This makes it easier.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, marking the 24th anniversary of Iran's Islamic revolution, blasted the United States on Tuesday for what he called its unilateralist approach to Iraq. "A U.S. attack on Iraq is in line with its unilateral policy and illegitimate interference in the future of other countries," Khatami told a rally in Tehran. "If we are opposed to war against Iraq...it does not mean that we are content with the Iraqi regime," said the president. With speculation mounting that Iran would be next in the U.S. war on terror after Iraq, Khatami warned the United States not to risk challenging Iran. "America has tested its luck once in confronting this nation by supporting the (former) Shah's regime," said Khatami.
No, Mr. Khatami. The problem was that we walked away from the Shah and let your bunch take over.
Posted by: Steve 2003-02-11
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=10127