Iran is waiting for results of terror investigation in Iraq

Baghdad, April 25, IRNA - Iran's ambassador to Baghdad said that Iran is waiting for outcome of investigation by the special committee designated by the Iraqi government on terror attacks against Iranian pilgrims.

Speaking to IRNA in Baghdad, Hassan Kazemi Qomi underscored Iraqi government responsibility to provide security for Iranian pilgrims.

All Iranian victims of terrorist blasts in Iraq return home - Head of Rescue and Relief Organization of Iran Red Crescent Dr. Ahmad Esfandiari said bodies of all Iranians who were killed or wounded in recent terrorist attacks in Iraq were returned home. In two separate terrorist attacks in Diala and Kazemein in Iraq on Thursday and Friday, 68 Iranain pilgrims were martyred and tens of others were wounded.

 
He said that negotiations had been held in the past several years on security for Iranian pilgrims during their visit to the holy cities in Iraq.

Kazemi Qomi said that he raised Iran's deep concern about deaths of scores of Iranian pilgrims on April 23-24 with President Jalal Talabani.

He said that Iraqi government has established an especial committee to investigate about the last 48 hours incidents, especially against Iranian pilgrims in Diala and Kadhimayn to find the perpetrators of the crimes.

The ambassador said, "We are waiting for results of investigation, while we continue our negotiations in this concern."

About his talks with President Talabani, Kazemi Qomi said that the president underlined importance of continuation of secure pilgrimage tours.

The envoy said that in a meeting in the Interior Ministry, all participants were agreed on keeping border point open in Mehran and Tehran is still considering border situation.

Responding to a question concerning root cause of the recent incidents in Iraq, the ambassador said insecurity is rooted in continued presence of foreign forces, unilateral policies and the US security plans which are not matched with Iraq political, cultural and social situation and are proposed under pretext of fight against terrorism.

Another reason for emergence of such incidents is the fact that the US obligations in the military forces departure agreement have not been fulfilled.

According to the agreement, strengthening army and police forces in Iraq, transferring full security responsibility and turning over the prisoners to the Iraqi government were among commitments of the US which have not been fulfilled yet.

Unilateral release of a number of prisoners by the US was violation of the commitment; some of these ex-prisoners were involved in terrorist operations.

In a suicide attack on Thursday in eastern province of Diala which occurred in a restaurant, 53 Iranian pilgrims were killed and 90 were injured.

In another incident on Friday noon in the city of Kazemain, north of Baghdad, two women by exploding themselves in front of a holy shrine killed at least 60 people, 15 Iranians, and wounded 125 of whom 36 were Iranian pilgrims.

... Payvand News - 04/26/09 ... --