Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
March 2, 2008

Iranian President Says Trip to Iraq Opens New Chapter in Relations
------------------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B6A5BF:A6F02AD83191E160F2C553E9BC7C8FE23CF5CDEF8FC051DA& Trip to Iraq is
first by an Iranian president since the two countries were at war in
the 1980s Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Iraq on
a landmark visit he says is aimed at improving relations between the
once warring neighbors. Despite accusations Iran is supplying weapons
to Shi'ite militias, Iraqi officials rolled out the red carpet for the
controversial Iranian leader.  Daniel Schearf reports from the
northern Iraqi city of Irbil.







Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, and his Iraqi counterpart
Jalal Talabani hold hands during a welcome ceremony in Baghdad,
Sunday, 02 March 2008

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad touched down in Baghdad Sunday
for the first visit of an Iranian president to Iraq since 1979.

Mr. Ahmadinejad was welcomed to the presidential residence by Iraqi
President Jalal Talabani and other officials.  The two leaders walked
side by side down a red carpet past a military band that played both
countries national anthems.  Two Iraqi children presented the Iranian
president with flowers.

Several agreements on cooperation are expected to be signed during the
visit.  Iran has promised a one billion dollar loan to Iraq to help
reconstruction efforts.

Before leaving Tehran, Mr. Ahmadinejad said the visit would improve
relations between the neighboring countries.

Mr. Ahmadinejad says the trip is aimed at strengthening friendly and
brotherly relations between the two countries and to support Iraq's
integrity, unity, and independence. He says the trip is also intended
to strengthen ties between the two countries and support the unity
between countries in the region.

Iraq and Iran fought a bitter war in the 1980s that killed around a
million people.

The majority of people in Iran and Iraq are Shi'ites.  Iran's
influence in Iraq has grown since the 2003 overthrow of Saddam Hussein
ushered in a Shi'ite-led government.

But, Tehran stands accused of supplying sophisticated weapons to
Shi'ite militias in Iraq who attack U.S.-led coalition troops and
Iraqis.

President Bush on Saturday said Iraqi leaders should ask President
Ahmadinejad to stop providing weapons that are killing its people.

Iran rejects the accusation.

Nonetheless, the United States has welcomed the visit as an
opportunity for dialogue.

In a recent interview with VOA, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad,
Rear Admiral Gregory Smith, said the visit could be helpful in
improving Iraq's security.

"Well, any steps that a partner would take to provide stability is
encouraged.  Iran certainly can play a role in a constructive way,"
Smith said. "And, I suspect that Iraq is looking for that kind of
partnership with Iran."

The United States has also been a key player in efforts to isolate
Iran for its nuclear ambitions.  The United States and other western
powers believe Iran is developing nuclear weapons, while Iran claims
its nuclear program is only for peaceful energy purposes.

The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Monday on another round
of sanctions against Tehran for its refusal to stop a uranium
enrichment program.  




.