The Scotsman: Iraq’s national election campaign kicked off yesterday with angry accusations that Iran was masterminding the continuing insurgency in an effort to undermine democracy and bring about clerical rule. The Iraqi interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, had earlier declared his candidacy in conciliatory fashion, saying he would work to unify the country and bring an end to the multinational occupation.
Iraqi minister accuses Iran of orchestrating insurgency to undermine democracy
Iranian exile group critical of EU nuclear talks with Iran
AP: The leader of an Iranian exile group on Wednesday criticized the European Union’s decision to negotiate a long-term agreement with Tehran on stopping its alleged nuclear weapons program, saying it would not deter Iranian authorities. Speaking to EU lawmakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Maryam Rajavi, co-leader of the exile …
Exile Iranian opposition leader urges EU to change Iran policy
Iran Focus: Strasbourg, Dec. 15 The Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi was the keynote speaker at a meeting of the members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Rajavi addressed some 200 MEPs, their assistants and other political personalities during a session, entitled The Future of Iran: Oppression or Democracy, that was organised by Friends of a Free Iran.
Iran Exile Leader Accuses EU of Appeasing Tehran
Reuters: An exiled Iranian opposition leader accused European Union states on Wednesday of appeasing Tehran and urged them to support regime change in Iran. Maryam Rajavi, the self-styled president-elect of the National Council
of Resistance of Iran, the political wing of the People’s …
Exile Iranian opposition leader urges EU to change Iran policy
Iran Focus: Strasbourg, Dec. 15 The Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi was the keynote speaker at a meeting of the members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Rajavi addressed some 200 MEPs, their assistants and other political personalities during a session, entitled The Future of Iran: Oppression or Democracy, that was organised by Friends of a Free Iran.
Iraqi Campaign Raises Question of Iran’s Sway
New York Times: On a list of 228 candidates submitted by a powerful Shiite-led political alliance to Iraq’s electoral commission last week, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim’s name was entered as No. 1. It was the clearest indication yet that in the Jan. 30 election, with Iraq’s Shiite majority likely to heavily outnumber Sunni voters, Mr. Hakim may emerge as the country’s most powerful political figure.
Bush warns Iran, Syria against “meddling” in Iraq
AFP: US President George W. Bush warned Iran and Syria Wednesday against “meddling” in Iraq after that country’s defense minister accused them of helping insurgents and terrorists spread deadly chaos. “We will continue to make it clear, to both Syria and Iran, that — as will other nations in our coalition, including our friends the Italians — that meddling …
Iran rejects negotiations with US on nuclear issue
AFP: Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday rejected any talks with the United States on the standoff over its nuclear programme because of Washington’s hostile attitude towards the Islamic republic.
Minister Says Iran Is Open to U.S. Talks
New York Times: Iran is willing to talk with the United States about its nuclear program if Washington treats it as an equal partner, Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Tuesday. “If negotiations are on the basis of equality and mutual respect in the same way we are talking to Europeans now, there is no reason not to talk to others,” Mr. Kharrazi said in response to a question at a joint news conference with South Africa’s visiting foreign minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Iraq’s defense minister describes Iran as ‘number one enemy,’ key to terrorism in his nation
AP: Iraq’s defense minister on Wednesday accused neighboring Iran and Syria of supporting terrorists in his war-ravaged country. Hazem Shaalan also accused Iran of backing the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist group headed by Jordanian
militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and said his country’s opponents want ”turbaned clerics to rule in Iraq.”
