Iran Disputes American Accusations of Interfering in Iraq's Affairs

Iran Disputes American Accusations of Interfering in Iraq's Affairs
The New York Times
April25, 2003
By NAZILA FATHI

TEHRAN, April 24 — Iran's foreign minister brushed off American accusations of interference in Iraq today at a joint news conference with the French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin.
"It is very interesting that the Americans have occupied Iraq but they accuse Iraq's neighbor of interfering in its affairs," said Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's foreign minister. "Instead of raising accusations, the United States should adopt cooperation with Iran. The United States should welcome Iran's positive role."

The United States blames Iran for the ferocious anti-American sentiment being voiced by Shiite Muslims and some Sunnis in Iraq.

It has said that Iranian agents have crossed into Iraq to promote friendly Shiite clerics in Basra, Karbala and Najaf and advance Iran's interests. The agents are said to be members of the Iraqi Badr Brigade and Iran's hard-line Revolutionary Guards.

The Badr Brigade is the armed force of the Iraqi opposition group the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a Shiite group, which has enjoyed the support of the Iranian government and is trained by the Revolutionary Guards.

Mr. Kharrazi denied that Iran has meddled with Iraq or that Iranians are in the Iraqi Badr Brigade. He said that the Badr Brigade was an Iraqi movement and that it was natural for its members to be inside Iraq and play a role in the future of their country.

Mr. Kharrazi also voiced concern over reports that American forces reached a cease-fire agreement on Wednesday with an Iranian opposition group, the Mujahedeen Khalq, in Iraq.

The group is the main armed opposition against Iran and is listed by the United States and Europe as a terrorist organization. As recently as last week, American forces were bombing Mujahedeen Khalq camps in northern Iraq.

"If this news that they can stay in Iraq and keep their arms is correct," he said, "it will expose the Americans' plans for the region and it would be contrary to international law. The United States should be responsible for this."

Mr. Kharrazi also announced that five Iranian Jews who had been sent to prison in 2000 on charges of spying for Israel had been freed. The 5 are the remainder of a group of 10 Jews imprisoned in the case. Mr. Kharrazi did not say when they were released.

Mr. de Villepin, who arrived here on Wednesday, expressed hope that France could contribute to the political, economic and social reconstruction of Iraq. He also stressed the pivotal role of the United Nations.

Mr. de Villepin's visit came amid French efforts to mend relations with the United States. Earlier this week, France called for the temporary suspension of United Nations-imposed economic sanctions against Iraq.

The United States has also called for lifting the sanctions entirely, but Russia and some other Security Council members want to wait until the United Nations inspectors declare Iraq free of weapons.

Mr. de Villepin also stressed the need for the speedy formation of an Iraqi government, saying that "the Iraqis must be able to decide their future as soon as possible."

He met today with President Mohammad Khatami and Aliakbar Hasehmi Refsanjani, the head of the powerful Expediency Council.

Mr. de Villepin said he had urged Iran to sign the additional protocol of the United Nations Nonproliferation Treaty, which would allow unexpected and rigorous inspections of its nuclear sites.

Iran has signed the Nonproliferation Treaty, but it has come under pressure to sign the additional protocol since January, when it announced its ambitious program to develop nuclear technology. Iran says that the program is for peaceful purposes.