Iraq PM rebukes neighbours for lack of support

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

Iraq PM rebukes neighbours for lack of support
Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:31 AM BST
Email This Article | Print This Article | RSS <-> Text <+> By Sue Pleming and Ulf Laessing

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki rebuked neighbouring states on Tuesday for not doing enough to strengthen ties with Baghdad, write off Iraq's debts or stop militants entering the war-torn country.

Maliki, speaking at a meeting in Kuwait of foreign ministers from the region and Western powers, did not name any countries but his remarks appeared aimed at Sunni Arab states that have only low-level ties with his Shi'ite-led government.

~snip~

"Iraq today is different from the previous Iraq which assaulted its neighbours. Iraq ... is ready to play a constructive role in security and stability in the region," Maliki said at the start of the meeting.

He rattled off a list of grievances his government had with neighbouring states.

"It's difficult for us to explain why diplomatic ties have not been resumed with Iraq. Many other foreign countries have kept diplomatic missions in Baghdad regardless of security considerations," Maliki said.



Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22521368.htm

[bemildred]

1. Good doggie, have a biscuit. nt

[maddezmom]

2. Iraqi PM to neighbors: Stop terrorists from crossing borders

Iraqi PM to neighbors: Stop terrorists from crossing borders
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA – 19 minutes ago

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Tuesday he was disappointed that neighboring countries have not done enough to his war-torn nation and urged them to stop terrorists from infiltrating over their borders.

Al-Maliki spoke at the opening of a meeting of Iraq's neighbors held in Kuwait aimed at rallying support for Iraq's beleaguered government.

A copy of the conference's draft resolution obtained by The Associated Press also calls for increased help from Iraq's neighbors in fighting militias and "assistance in solving the issue of Iraqi debts."

But Iraq's neighbors have made pledges to help Iraq at two previous meetings, with little follow-through. They have also promised to open diplomatic missions in Baghdad, but none has yet done so.

more:http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5icTkVTX5iISfc5Ga4B_ospe98cEwD906V7K01

[maddezmom]

3. Al-Maliki claims 'new phase' of unity in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told neighboring countries Tuesday that Iraq has moved past its internal divisions and "has entered a new phase" of unity.


The rosy declaration comes in the midst of a growing confrontation with a radical Shiite cleric and his followers.

"Iraq has passed its crises and divisions," al-Maliki told diplomats meeting in Kuwait at the third expanded neighbors conference.

"The will of all its people is united and it's moving forward to develop the political process," he said. "It has entered a new phase where the interest of the country transcends differences."

more:http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/22/iraq.main/index.html?section=cnn_latest