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| Iraq |
| U.S., Iranian Officials Had Clandestine Meeting on War |
| 2003-02-08 |
| Under a veil of secrecy, U.S. officials met with Iranian diplomats in an unidentified European country last month, in what is seen as a U.S. attempt to neutralize Tehran before its looming invasion of Iraq, said a leading U.S. newspaper Saturday, February 8. Shows good sense on the U.S. side... Carrying a war message, the Bush administration officials also asked Iran for a humanitarian help in search-and-rescue missions for downed U.S. aircrews and further requested that Iranian government deny haven to fleeing Iraqis who might try to cross into Iran and regroup against a U.S.-supported government in Baghdad, reported the Washington Post. No harm in that — and maybe some good... U.S. officials report that signals from Tehran have been encouraging, despite Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi's statements that "Iran is basically against war and is not going to support either side." A senior Bush administration official said the White House hopes Iranians "will stay out of the way" if U.S.-led forces topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in favor of a pro-Western government. U.S. officials, in addition, reassured the Iranians that a prospective war would not target them, the Post quoted a U.S. official as saying. Nope. We have other plans for them... The Bush administration also cited its acceptance of Tehran-based Shiite Muslim leaders among the Iraqi opposition. "We wanted to make clear to them that, just as we cooperated with them in Afghanistan, we'll cooperate with them in Iraq. We're able and willing to cooperate in Iraq," the official briefed on last month's mission. He added that the administration and the Iranians have been communicating regularly through partners in Europe and the Gulf. "The Deputy Assistant Undersecretary of State requests that you convey our heartfelt greetings to those sons of bitches..." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 To be precise, their own citizens have other plans for them... |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-02-08 20:05:10 |