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Iranian, Iraqi Defence Ministers Attend Press Conference

Posted on: Thursday, 7 July 2005, 12:00 CDT

Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA web site

Tehran, 7 July: Iranian and Iraqi defence ministers held a

joint press conference here Thursday [7 July] in the wake of the second round of talks between Iranian and Iraqi high-level delegations.

Iraqi delegation comprising high-ranking defence officials and

commanders entered Tehran late Tuesday.

Iraqi Defence Minister, Sadoun al-Dulaimi, said he had come to

Iran to open a new chapter against the previous one, thanking

Iranian hospitality.

"My trip has been undergone for reinforcing ties and sustaining stability in the region. We [Iraqis and Iranians] will no

longer stand against each other and we will try our best to defend human rights and legitimate system as well as democracy," he added.

Asked about the agreements in the second round of talks,

al-Dulaimi said, "We have come to discuss past problems and find

solutions to future cooperation. We hope to continue cooperation

which is to the benefit and expediency of both sides."

Answering another question of reporters on the probable threats

of Iraq in the future, he stated that Iraqis were seeking "good

and prosperity" and would not threaten regional countries.

"The two countries have been neigbors for 1,000 years. Therefore

my coming to Iran is not a surprise," he noted.

A reporter asked him whether the United States was pressing for

the violation of Iran-Iraq cooperation agreements, he responded that Iraq was under "dangerous" situation but it would improve.

"On our cooperation with other countries, no one can dictate us

directions. We are ware of our expediencies better than everyone

else," he reiterated.

Commenting on the status of Mujahedin terrorist organization,

al-Dulaimi said, "If they turn political refugee, they can remain in Iraq; however, they would not be allowed to launch terrorist operations in Iraq and Iraq is no longer a haven for terrorism."

Iran's Minister of Defence, Vice-admiral Ali Shamkhani, opined on the question, saying it was decided to form a joint committee against terrorists.

Asked about military cooperation between Iran and Iraq, Shamkhani said talks had been held in that regard and agreements would soon be signed.

"Some committees will be formed in relation to train, reinforce

and reconstruct Iraqi military force and artillary," he added.

Shamkhani stated that committees would also be established to

deal with the status of unidentified solidiers as well as

mine-stricken areas.

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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