Dutton contradicts U.S. on Iran-Iraq ties

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://newsobserver.com/24hour/world/story/2612130p-11074052c.html

Dutton contradicts U.S. on Iran-Iraq ties

WASHINGTON (AP) - The commander of British-led forces in southeastern Iraq said Friday that concerns about Iranian efforts to influence events in Iraq are based more on speculation than on facts.
The remark by Maj. Gen. Jim B. Dutton of the British Royal Marines contrasted with criticisms of Iran by U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who have said repeatedly that Iran is interfering in Iraq's internal affairs.

...

"There's no question but that Iran is a problem for Iraq as well in terms of their developing a reasonably representative system," Rumsfeld told the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

"The last thing the Iranians want is to see Iraq succeed as a democracy, as a representative system, as a moderate state. It's exactly in conflict with the situation in Iran, which has a small handful of clerics who run the country," the secretary said.

Dutton, speaking by telephone from Basra, told reporters at the Pentagon that he doubts most Iraqis in the southeastern part of the country would favor an Iranian-style theocracy.

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[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Where have we heard this sort of "contradiction" stuff before?

Was it during the WMD/war run up frenzy?

[sabra]

2. I was thinking the same thing!

[lumpy]

3. I prefer to believe

someone who is directly involved in Iraq over a proven liar.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Good for Major Jim B. Dutton's speaking out.

This can't be career-enhancing, and it's probably dangerous for him physically to contradict his country's attempts to reinforce a dirty U.S. regime.

Courage like this has never been needed more. If we are saved it will be because of people like this admirable man, and Galloway and Sibel Edmonds, etc., etc.



Bully, bully!