IRAN and Shiite Iraqis

Should one believe Iran when it denies political meddling in Iraq? Reuters (25/4/03) reported that: "Iran rejected US suggestions that it was interfering in Iraq and said that it was not seeking to promote the political role of fellow Shi'ite Muslims in its neighbor. The announcement comes one day after the US warned Iran to stay out of Iraqi politics amid concerns that it was encouraging the creation of an Islamic republic there. US Central Command in Qatar said Marines had this week started patrols on the parts of the border with Iran to "maintain Iraqi territorial integrity". Responding to US claims, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said, "Naturally, the majority of Iraq is Shi'ite, but we are not insisting on [the role of the] Shi'ites. For us, Shi'ites, Sunnis, Turks, and Arabs are the same, and everybody should play their role in a democratic Iraq."

Ronald Hilton - 4/25/03