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Iran Rejects US Accusations of Terrorist Support in Iraq
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=15C6BC5:A6F02AD83191E1602680EAE000E190EC9574F7DCC14957C0 Tehran says 5
Iranians detained by US forces in northern Iraq are diplomats Iran is
demanding release of five people seized by U.S. troops who recently
raided an Iranian office in northern Iraq.  U.S. military officials
say they suspect the group was supporting groups blamed for bloodshed
in Iraq.  Jim Randle reports from Baghdad.







Mohammad Ali Hosseini An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad
Ali Hosseini, condemned an attack by U.S.-led forces against an
Iranian office Thursday in Irbil, Iraq.  He called for the immediate
release of the men detained in the raid.

He told journalists in Teheran that the American forces in Iraq should
pay compensation for the damage to the building, and never repeat this
kind of action.  He said their job was basically consular.

But U.S. officials say the building was not a consulate and did not
have diplomatic protection.

The men were detained by U.S.-led forces because they are suspected of
involvement with an Iranian Revolutionary Guard faction that funds and
arms insurgents in Iraq.

In a note to reporters, U.S. officials said they will continue to
disrupt efforts by Iran to support groups involved in violence.

The Iranian spokesman also attacked the new U.S. policy in Iraq
announced this week by President Bush.  The policy seeks to isolate
Iran and Syria, which the U.S. has repeatedly accused of fueling
attacks in Iraq.

Hosseini said Washington is stubbornly sticking to the wrong approach,
which he says will not bring security to the region.




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