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March 11, 2007

Iraq Says Neighbors Can Play Positive Role in Country's Security
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=169A409:A6F02AD83191E160E8A8718FEA6241FC9574F7DCC14957C0 US and Iranian
officials talk with each other at conference in Baghdad At a regional
security conference in Baghdad, Iraqi leaders focused on the positive
role Iraq's neighbors can play in improving security, but they also
warned the country must not be used as a battleground for
international conflicts. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from the Iraqi
capital, representatives from the United States and Iran talked with
each other during the meeting about security in Iraq.







The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, left, addresses the Baghdad
peace conference, while the country's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari
looks onThe one-day Baghdad conference brought together
representatives from Iraq's neighboring countries as well as the
permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to try to find a way to
end Iraq's crippling sectarian fighting.

The conference focused on what delegates said were common goals of
ending violence, supporting the Iraqi government and trying to improve
the lives of Iraq's citizens. Representatives agreed to form three
committees that would address Iraq's security, the needs of Iraqis
fleeing violence and the country's desperate need for fuel.

But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki also told delegates that Iraq would
not tolerate foreign nations trying to exert influence in Iraq by
backing certain groups. Mr. Maliki said Iraq is changing from a
totalitarian to a democratic state, and will not allow its streets to
be used as an arena for international disputes. He also said Iraq does
not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks against other
nations, and he expects other nations to have the same policy.

As the delegates met in closed-door meetings inside the
tightly-guarded Foreign Ministry, a reminder of Baghdad's perilous
security situation came when a mortar round struck near the building,
sending people outside running for cover. Elsewhere in Baghdad,
officials said, at least 18 people were killed and scores of others
wounded when two suicide bombers detonated their explosives in the
predominantly Shi'ite district of Sadr City.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari urged delegates to recognize
that improving Iraq's security is in the long-term interest of all
nations. "It is in nobody's interest to see Iraq fail, because there
would be a spillover. Your interests would be affected, and you should
look beyond any short-term self interest to long-term strategic
interests to see a viable, a stable recovered Iraq," he said.

U.S. and Iraqi officials have accused Iran and Syria of not doing
enough to secure their borders to stop the flow of weapons and
fighters that fuel the insurgency.

The United States has also accused Iran of directly supporting militia
fighters by suppling them with explosive projectile weapons that are
capable of piercing thick armor. In the past, the United States has
opposed discussing those issues directly with Iran.

But U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad said American delegates
on Saturday spoke about the weapons concerns with their Iranian
counterparts. "I did talk with them directly, and in the presence of
others. We engaged across the table, as well. I did raise those
concerns," he said.

The ambassador also said Iranian representatives voiced support for
improving security in Iraq, but he said statements alone are not
enough. "They have stated today that they support Iraq, that they
support the reconciliation effort, that they support the effort to
bring security to the people of Iraq. The next step is to see that
these good sentiments, good statements be translated into concrete
action," he said.

The head of Iran's delegation, Abas Arakchi, said security in Iraq is
necessary for stability in the region, so there is no reason for Iran
to interfere in Iraqi politics, other than to support peace. He blamed
Iraq's violence on the presence of foreign forces in the country. "The
presence of foreign forces in Iraq justifies violence in that country,
or serves the benefit of terrorists and violence in Iraq. And,
violence is used to justify the presence of foreign forces. So, for
the sake of peace and stability in Iraq, and to keep its integrity and
unity, we need a timetable for the withdrawal of the foreign forces,"
he said.

Delegates from all of the attending countries did agree to attend a
future meeting on Iraq's security. The date and location have not been
decided, although Egypt and Turkey have offered to host.