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Iraq seeks release of Iranians seized by
U.S.
12.1.2007
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January 12, 2007
BAGHDAD ,-- Iraq's foreign minister said he
was seeking the release of five Iranians seized by
U.S. troops from a representative office of the
Tehran government in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Erbil
on Thursday.
"What happened ... was very annoying because there
has been an Iranian liaison office there for years
and it provides services to the citizens," Hoshiyar
Zebari, who is himself a Kurd, told Al-Arabiya
television.
"We are in contact with the (U.S.) embassy and the
American forces to seek their release."
After the autonomous Kurdish regional government,
one of Washington's closest allies in Iraq, issued a
strong condemnation of the raid, the U.S. military
made a statement on Friday saying one of six people
arrested had been released. |
Hoshiyar Zebari, Iraq's foreign minister |
"The detained individuals will be questioned and the
documents and equipment that was removed will be
examined to determine the extent of the alleged
illegal or terrorist activity," it said. "Based on
the outcome of that investigation, appropriate
action will be taken regarding the detainees."
Iranian and U.S. officials say the office did not
have formal diplomatic status.
Iranian and Kurdish officials have identified those
arrested as Iranians working in an office that
represents the interests of the Tehran government,
which the United States accuses of backing Shi'ite
militias and fomenting violence in Iraq.
U.S. statements have not given the nationality of
those held but the latest comments echoed criticism
of Iran by President George W. Bush and others. It
said: "The Coalition will continue to work with the
government of Iraq to prevent interference by
hostile actors in Iraq's internal security affairs."
Bush vowed on Wednesday in a speech outlining an
increase in U.S. troops for Baghdad to disrupt what
he called the "flow of support" from Iran and Syria
for attacks on U.S. forces.
In December, U.S. forces in Baghdad arrested a
number of Iranians they said were suspected of
planning attacks.
Reuters
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