Iran firmly opposed to US-Iraq security pact

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-10  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

IRAN'S leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told the visiting Iraqi prime minister yesterday that the United States military was the main cause of Iraq's problems, making clear his opposition to a US-Iraqi security pact.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's talks with Iranian leaders during his three-day visit to Iran have focused on a proposed US-Iraq security agreement that Iran fears will keep the American military in neighboring Iraq for years.

Al-Maliki has tried to push Iranian leaders to tone down their opposition to the proposed pact, promising that Iraq will not be a launching pad for any attack on Iran.

But the agreement has become a center of contention as Baghdad tries to balance its close ties to both Washington and Tehran.

Iran, which has repeatedly said the way to end instability in Iraq is for US forces to withdraw, believes the proposed pact could lead to permanent US bases on its doorstep amid fears of an eventual attack.

"Occupiers who interfere in Iraq's affairs through their military and security might are the main problems," Iran's state television quoted Khamenei as saying.

He said Iraqis have to "think of a solution to free" it from the US military. Though he did not explicitly mention the security agreement, he said Iraqis, not Americans, must decide the fate of their country.

"That a foreign element gradually interferes in all Iraqi affairs and expands its domination on all aspects of life is the main obstacle in the way of progress and prosperity of the Iraqi nation," he was quoted as saying.

Khamenei said the US will fail to achieve its goals in Iraq.

"We are certain that the Iraqi people, through unity and effort, will get past these difficult conditions.

For sure, America's dream for Iraq will not come true," Khamenei was quoted as telling al-Maliki.