GibbsFactor Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/03/iraq.iran/index.html BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, heading home after a two-day visit to Iraq, again touted his country's closer relations with Iraq and reiterated his criticism of the United States. "No one likes them," Ahmadinejad told reporters prior to returning to Iran, referring to the predominantly U.S. makeup of coalition forces in Iraq. "We believe that the forces which crossed oceans and thousands of kilometers to come to this region should leave this region and hand over the affairs to the peoples and government of this region," Ahmadinejad said. His visit follows trips to Iran last year by top officials of Iraq's Shiite-led government, which has been fostering a closer relationship with predominantly Shiite Iran since the Saddam Hussein regime was toppled by U.S.-led forces in 2003. His visit was greeted warmly by Iraq's Shiite Muslim leaders, whose links to Iran predate the overthrow of Hussein. Ahmadinejad met with Iraqi President Nuri al-Maliki, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, other politicians, clerics, tribal leaders and academics. At the same time, many Sunni Muslims inIraq who dislike the Iranian regime demonstrated against his visit. Watch as Iraqis protest the visit ยป In a news briefing on Monday, Ahmadinejad said the two countries, which fought an eight-year war in the 1980s, had signed memorandums of understanding, such as economic and border agreements, and would sign many more. On Sunday, Ahmadinejad announced plans to link Iran's electrical grid with neighboring Iraq. The two countries have already signed a deal to construct cross-border pipelines. Read more about power supply deal The Iranian president made digs at the United States. He contrasted his trip, which was advertised in advance, with the "stealth" visits of others, a reference to visits by U.S. officials who sometimes do not broadcast their visits to Iraq for security reasons. Sunday's official welcome and meeting with Talabani took place at the presidential house outside the heavily fortified Green Zone. And his early Monday visit to the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine in Kadhimiya, the Shiite district in northwestern Baghdad, served to underscore his point that he could move more openly and with confidence around Baghdad. He repeated his criticism of the U.S. position that Iran was backing violence in Iraq. The United States has accused Iran of supporting insurgent groups in Iraq, including supplying explosively formed penetrators, the deadliest and most sophisticated type of roadside bomb. "We do not care about their statements and remarks because they make statements based on erroneous information. We cannot count on what they say," Ahmadinejad said. He said coalition forces "shouldn't interfere in the affairs of regional countries" and "should allow the region's countries to run their own affairs." In Washington, U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said the United States supported Iraq's efforts to conduct its "diplomatic relations the way it sees fit. "These are two countries that are going to have to have relations with one another," he said, referring to Iraq and Iran. Casey said there were no indications that "Iran is willing to modify its behavior." But he said Washington hopes that the relationship presents an "opportunity for the Iranians to explain and perhaps take real action to deal with some of the problems we have pointed out in the way they manage their relationship." After Ahmadinejad left Iraq, Talabani's office issued a 14-point joint statement from Talabani and Ahmadinejad that underscored the importance of "good neighborliness and non-interference" and the need to improve ties and resolve disagreements. It called for strengthening cooperation in gas and oil development and widening commercial cooperation. Iraq thanked Iran for a $1 billion loan to support Iraq's economy and rebuild its infrastructure. Iran emphasized its support for Iraq's efforts to forge national unity. Ahmadinejad's visit coincided with that of Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On Sunday, in northern Iraq, he walked openly on the streets of Hawaija, a former al Qaeda in Iraq bastion now described in a Pentagon news release as "a market crowded with people and shops stocked with goods." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#98QBKiller Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him ___ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him Yup. Pretty much sums it all up best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Yup. Pretty much sums it all up best. Hard to add much to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_cavalierman Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him___ Done and done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKINS@THEGOALLINE Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him___ **** him and anyone that looks like him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artmonkforHOF Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 And this is news to you guys? I thought all Americans already knew that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibbsFactor Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 Just wanted to bring us together for a change. Something we can all agree on. See, I'm all about change. :bow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_cavalierman Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 And this is news to you guys? I thought all Americans already knew that. I guess it is bad if we don't give a flying **** what people think eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Brown #43 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Right. Everyone hates America. That's why everyone leaves their own countries to come here. I don't see anyone escaping their homeland to sneak into Iran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 If any politician can convince Americans we should stay in Iraq, it's that guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiebear Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Right. Everyone hates America. That's why everyone leaves their own countries to come here. I don't see anyone escaping their homeland to sneak into Iran. I spent a few minutes trying to google anything on the immigration into Iran. Could not find a single instance.. hmmm... how odd... The super-power of the middle east should be overflowing with people trying to get in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baculus Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Screw Ahmadinejad. He is just pissed that he isn't as popular as the US in Iran, especially among the young crowd which makes up a large majority of their population. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMike619 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Well if the Iranian leader said it's true then it must be true. Iran is such a honorable and honest country that is full of great leaders that are full of integrity and NO homosexuals. Man, we should all just pack up our stuff and move to Tehran!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headexplode Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 He's such an impotent little ****. He likes to talk big but I wonder whether he has the cajones to back it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgun88 Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Why didn't we kill him when we had the chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him and anyone that looks like him. even this guy ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him and anyone that looks like him. or anyone that kisses him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntotoro Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Ironic, considering the only people who do like him are illiterates who haven't moved out of 8th Century AD and those under the knives/swords of said individuals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickalino Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 **** him and anyone that looks like him. I guess you won't be playing the video game with this guy, huh ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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