"The prime minister's visit to Iran is considered a step in a series of
visits ... and to form a strategy committee to develop the relation****p
between the two nations," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told
AFP.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080607/wl_mideast_afp/iraniraqdiplomacy;_ylt=As3dYV7cTTjTvikrgnwVjGYE1vAI
Iraq PM in Iran talks amid debate over US pact
by Hiedeh Farmani
TEHRAN (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki arrived in Tehran on
Saturday for talks with Iranian leaders, amid controversy over a mooted
deal
with Wa****ngton on a long-term US troop presence in Iraq.
The ****ite premier -- on his third visit to Tehran since taking office two
years ago -- was met by First Vice President Parviz Davoudi and was set to
hold talks with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki later in the day.
The new trip comes amid strong criticism from Baghdad and Tehran over the
proposed deal between Iraq and Iran's arch foe the United States to
maintain
US soldiers in the country beyond 2008.
"The prime minister's visit to Iran is considered a step in a series of
visits ... and to form a strategy committee to develop the relation****p
between the two nations," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told
AFP.
Iran has urged Maliki not to sign the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
with
the United States on maintaining US soldiers in the country beyond 2008.
Iraq has also said it has a "different vision" from the United States on
the
issue.
Dabbagh said Iran's leaders would be assured that Baghdad would not allow
its soil to be used for attacks on neighbouring countries, amid mounting
international tensions over the Iranian nuclear drive.
He said they would be told of "the Iraqi vision, which is that it will not
serve as a base or staging ground to launch attacks against neighbouring
countries."
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