Ahmadinejad In Iraq: My Visit “New Page In History Of” Iran, Iraq

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is currently visiting Iraq, called his visit "a new page in the history of the two countries."

He said that the Iranian and Iraqi nations "would always stand at each other's right [hand]."

Referring to the U.S. claim that Iran is fanning the flames of violence in Iraq, he said, "The U.S. must recognize the fact that Iraq does not want its presence in the region."

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Reza Sheikh 'Atar said that Iran had offered Iraq a $1 billion rehabilitation loan with favorable terms.

Representatives of the two countries discussed a project for constructing two nuclear power plants and for running power lines from Iran to Iraq.

It was reported that Iran is refusing to amend the Algiers Agreement that determines the borders between the two countries.

Sources: Tehran Times, Iran; Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London; Rooz, Iran, March 3, 2008

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