Iraqi PM begins talks in Tehran

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is in Iran for talks aimed at improving relations between the two neighbours.

He is expected to raise allegations of Iranian support for Shia militants in Iraq when he meets with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
>
Mr Maliki is on his third visit to Iran since taking office in June 2005.

He was met in Tehran by Iranian Vice-President Parviz Davoudi and is scheduled to meet Mr Ahmadinejad Sunday.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7441329.stm

[existentialist]

1. This, of course, just illustrates the absurdity

of the Bush/McCain position that we don't dare talk to Iran, even though our unreliable, chaotic, quasi-ally, quasi-puppet finds it necessary and advisable to talk with Iran on a regular basis.

[Baby Snooks]

4. But it might threaten Halliburton...

If we talk to Iran then of course we may end up with diplomatic relations with Iran and then of course all sorts of American companies might want to do business with Iran and then of course Halliburton would have to compete for its business with Iran and as we have all seen in Iraq, Halliburton doesn't like competition. It wants it all.

Funny how "trading with the enemy" has never applied to Halliburton.

[panader0]

2. Damn appeaser..

[bemildred]

3. Al Maliki is enabling terror. nt

[dipsydoodle]

5. Iraqi PM assures Iran on security

same link now updated :

Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to attack Iran, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said during a visit to Tehran.

[ohio2007]

6. Iraqi leader says security deal won't harm Iran ( another June invasion cancelled )

snip
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday in talks expected to focus on the security pact, which Washington and Baghdad hope to finish by mid-summer
snip
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080608/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_iraq_8;_ylt=Aqv75Ch1CM9D_3vymZJ1j1BX6GMA

hmmm... I wonder if Maliki will drop in on mookie al Sadr while in Iran ;)

[bemildred]

7. Iraqi PM vows not to 'harm' Iran

Iraq's prime minister is in Tehran for talks with Iranian leaders, with a proposed US-Iraq security pact likely to dominate proceedings.

Nuri al-Maliki's third visit to the Iranian capital since he took office two years ago comes amid criticism in Baghdad and Tehran over the planned deal to keep US soldiers in Iraq beyond 2008.

After a late-night meeting with Manouchehr Mottaki, the Iranian foreign minister, late on Sunday, al-Maliki assured Tehran that Iraq would not allow its territory to be used as a platform to "harm" the Islamic republic.

"We will not allow Iraq to become a platform for harming the security of Iran and neighbours," al-Maliki was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1220275A-2260-4C0E-8825-F6CF8671AF14.htm

[ohio2007]

8. Baghdad to Remove Anti-Iran Statue

TEHRAN (FNA)- Baghdad's Mayor has announced a decision to remove a Saddam-era monument which once symbolized the animosity between Iran and Iraq. Mayor Saber al-Essawi said the city hall is to replace the 'monument of hatred' with a sign that would reflect 'coexistence'.
snip

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8703180521

A symbolic offering from the mayor of Baghdad to the ex mayor of Tehran.

If a gesture is made on Irans side maybe we can downsize on a timetable favorable to the Iraqi's.

meanwhile, in other under reported news;

Damascus symposium discusses dangers of US-Iraqi deal

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=947_1212895697

The article avoids the obvious.( Shia / Sunni third world Cold Car rift if real peace breaks out between the two ex "enemies" )