Petraeus: Iran should stop funding extremists

[unhappycamper]

Petraeus: Iran should stop funding extremists
By Adam Schreck - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Feb 14, 2009 16:04:51 EST

DOHA, Qatar — Gen. David Petraeus said Saturday that Iran should stop backing extremist groups that contribute to ongoing violence in Iraq, adding that the U.S. is watching Tehran “very, very closely.”

The commander of the region that includes both countries also told a U.S.-Islamic world forum in the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar that the U.S. is looking for signs that Iran is willing to cooperate, echoing gestures of openness expressed by the Obama administration.

However, he was firm when asked what concrete steps Iran could take to improve relations. Foremost on his list was that there be an end to the “training, equipping, funding of extremist elements” in the region, particularly in Iraq.

“It was not just Sunni extremists that were tearing apart the country. This was a cycle of Sunni-on-Shia, and Shia-on-Sunni,” he said.

“One of the elements fueling that violence was indeed the assistance provided by Iran,” he continued. “There is absolutely no question about this, and there is also no question that some of this does continue to this day.”


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_petraeus_iran_021409/%2e

[jimshoes]

1. Dog gone it, we need a

Boogie man. How are we supposed to whip lazy assed Americans into a blind panic without a goddamned bogie man.