Guest views are now limited to 12 pages. If you get an "Error" message, just sign in! If you need to create an account, click here.

Jump to content
  • CRYPTO REWARDS!

    Full endorsement on this opportunity - but it's limited, so get in while you can!

US senators warn Iraq over Iran shipments to Syria


Carrello
 Share

Recommended Posts

US senators warn Iraq over Iran shipments to Syria

05-09-2012

BAGHDAD (AP) — American senators visiting Iraq warned the Baghdad government Wednesday that it risked damaging relations with the U.S. if it is allowing Iran to fly over its airspace to deliver weapons to Syria.

An Iraqi government spokesman responded by saying Iran has told Baghdad the flights to Syria are only delivering humanitarian aid. He said the onus is on the U.S. to offer up proof that Tehran is shipping weapons.

Senator Joe Lieberman, an Independent from Connecticut, said Iraq's failure to stop the flights could threaten the long-term relationship with the U.S. as well as aid Iraq could receive as part of a 2008 strategic pact between the two nations.

"Bottom line, this kind of problem with these Iranian overflights can make it more difficult to proceed with the Strategic Framework Agreement in the manner that the prime minister and we would like to see happen," Lieberman told reporters in Baghdad. "So I hope this is cleared up quickly."

Iran is Syria's closest ally in the Middle East and it has stood by President Bashar Assad as his forces have tried to crush the uprising there for the past 17 months. Activists say at least 23,000 have been killed.

The dispute over the flights was first reported in The New York Times on Wednesday. It said American officials believe Iran resumed shipments of military equipment to Syria via Iraqi airspace in July after a three-month hiatus.

"This region is about to explode," said Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who was visiting Iraq with Lieberman and Republican John McCain of Arizona. "They're in a pickle here," Graham said at the same meeting with reporters where Lieberman spoke.

"The reason they're probably not pushing back on Iran is because they don't see how this ends. There's an amazing lack of American leadership, and it's beginning to show on all fronts," Graham added.

The three hawkish senators said the dispute was one example of how U.S. influence is in dwindling Iraq even after it pumped in billions of dollars of aid and fought a nine-year war that ousted the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and cost nearly 4,500 American lives.

Ali al-Moussawi, media adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, confirmed that Iranian planes are flying over Iraq to deliver goods to Syria. But he said Tehran has assured al-Maliki that the flights are carrying only food and other humanitarian aid to help victims of Syria's civil war.

Iraqi and American officials say the U.S. believes otherwise. They said U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has promised to send al-Maliki evidence that the flights contain weapons to help Assad's regime — something that would be a violation of a U.N. Security Council agreement.

"The Iraqi government is carefully monitoring this issue both in the sky and ground," al-Moussawi told The Associated Press. He said Iraq has warned Iran against flying weapons though its airspace.

"The Iranian government has said that it respects our decisions," he insisted. "Until now, there is no evidence of any violation in this regard, and if anyone has any evidence, they should bring it to us and we will take the needed measures," al-Moussawi said.

He said Biden promised to show al-Maliki proof of the weapons shipments about a month ago — but claimed the Iraqis never received it.

Iraq has insisted it is not taking sides in the uprising. But its Shiite-led government has been trying to foster closer ties with Shiite Iran over the last several years, even as western powers have demanded that Assad step down.

My link

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

'Ali al-Moussawi, media adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, confirmed that Iranian planes are flying over Iraq to deliver goods to Syria. But he said Tehran has assured al-Maliki that the flights are carrying only food and other humanitarian aid to help victims of Syria's civil war.'

***///

Liar, Liar, :moon-from-car: on fire!!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WHat happened to Obama's people that are suppose to be there... Those 3 sure as heck not Obama's people.....

They are at the Democratic Convention Party!!! Rock On!!! :lol:

President Obama has promised to give Macarena Dance Lessons! :lol:

Go RV!!!

:D:D:D

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this what we went to war for?? and lost 4500 American lives... and 100's of thousands of people injured??? They should have never pulled out without making this bunch of fools RV.

Are you saying that it would have been worth 45000 amercan lives if they would have RV'ed by now? And what about all the non American lives lost? Does it make it ok as long as you and I make out ahead? I'm not trying to raz you. It's just a question I have.

Edited by Spud
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The middle east is fixing to implode. It's in the bible. I think we are almost there.

So RV already and let's get this revival going. :)

===================================================

Now in the article is says:

"Iraqi and American officials say the U.S. believes otherwise. They said U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has promised to send al-Maliki evidence that the flights contain weapons to help Assad's regime — something that would be a violation of a U.N. Security Council agreement."

Well duh...now can we get somewhere with the Maliki character. Been reading about this for months.

Once your country is wore torn, you would think the only way to go is up, but how can one man hold up progress of the good, maybe that's biblical also. Instead helps another country kill people.

One fallen angel followed by a bunch of know it all's. One evil ruler, a bunch of followers, sounds just like Maliki and his bunch. Heaven forbid they grow a brain and make their own decisions that benefit someone else besides themselves.

Edited by uncirculd
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.