LOC20:32
17:32 GMT
(With photos)
TEHRAN, Sept 12 (KUNA) -- A senior Iranian official warned the US on
Wednesday against establishing a military base near his country's borders with
Iraq.
"If they approach our borders, they will be within reach of our fire, which
is not for their good," Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National
Security Council, told a press conference.
Larijani's was commenting on the Petraeus-Crocker assessment to the US
Congress, namely regarding Washington's intention to build a military base
near Iran's borders.
Neither the Iraqi people nor the government will allow the US troops to
remain in their country, Larijani said noting that what really counted was the
Iraqi government which said it would not permit such a base to be set up near
the Iranian borders, Larijani said.
He noted that the recent report released by the US Ambassador in Baghdad
Ryan Crocker and Commander of US troops in Iraq General David Petreaus was
full of contradictions and lies.
Larijani said that the scenario was well-designed and orchestrated but the
Americans should know that after a while they should be accountable to the
Iraqi people, he said adding that the report not only fell short of
demonstrating Iraq's real image but depicted a dramatic image of the
war-shattered country as well, he said.
"Iran supplies Iraq with drinking water and electricity but what have you
brought for the Iraqi people?" he questioned.
"You play a key role in causing sectarian rifts among the Iraqi people," he
said. (end)
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KUNA 122032 Sep 07NNNN