Iraqis can defend their interests without Iranians’ help – Rice

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has dismissed Iran’s bid to stand up for Iraq as hypocritical, accusing it of cross-border meddling that has only harmed Iraqis, The Australian newspaper said on Friday. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said a draft U.S.-Iraq security pact was aimed at keeping Iraq weak to help the U.S. “pillage” the country. Iranian Interior Minister Ali Kordan said Tehran opposed any document that threatened Iraqi interests. “I think the Iraqis can defend their interests without the Iranians, thank you very much,” Rice told a press conference in Mexico when asked to comment on the remarks. “That hasn’t been the happiest relationship, ever,” Rice said during a visit to Puerto Vallarta , Mexico . “What the Iranians were doing was arming special groups in the south who were killing innocent Iraqis. So frankly I don’t take these comments very seriously,” said Rice, alongside Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa. Rice then reiterated that “this is a good agreement,” referring to the security pact that has been the subject of months of difficult negotiations with the Iraqis. “It’s an agreement that both protects our armed forces and will allow them to continue to support the Iraqis as they consolidate the gains that they have made on the security side,” Rice said. It is also “totally respectful of Iraqi sovereignty,” she added. The draft deal to replace a UN mandate expiring this year calls for U.S. combat forces to withdraw by the end of 2011 and includes U.S. concessions on jurisdiction over its troops accused of “serious crimes” while off duty or off base. Iraq ‘s cabinet decided on Tuesday to seek certain revisions to the accord, triggering warnings from top U.S. military and political figures about the risks of not agreeing a deal. Rice said she had no update on the talks involving the agreement from U.S. diplomats in Iraq, because she has been busy with talks with Espinosa, which have focused on drug-related crime as well as economic and trade issues. During a meeting in Jordan with his counterparts from Iraq , Turkey and Gulf Arab countries, Kordan , Iran ‘s interior minister, said: “ Iran opposes any document that goes against the will of Iraqis and their leadership. “ Iran opposes any document that would threaten Iraq ‘s interests,” Kordan said. He did not elaborate, but was apparently referring to the draft security accord. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today the pact seeks to keep Iraq weak to help the U.S. “pillage” the country. The U.S. has accused Iran of “undermining” the deal. SH (I) 1