Washington: American officials have held a private meeting with Iranian Envoys in
Europe to seek a pledge of humanitarian help and an assurance that the Tehran
government will not interfere in possible US-led war on Iraq.
The US officials have also asked Iran to join search-and-rescue missions for any
downed US air crews and asked them to deny refuge to fleeing Iraqis who might cross
into their territory and regroup against a Washington supported government in
Baghdad, a media report said on February 8.
A senior administration official said the White House hopes the Iranians "will stay
out of the way" if US-led forces topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in favour of
a pro-Western government, 'The Washington Post' reported.
US and UN officials report that signals from Tehran have been encouraging, although
the Iranian government opposes military action.
American Envoys, while seeking a measure of help from Iran at a meeting that was
held in January also reassured the Iranians that prospective war for control of
Baghdad would not target them, a US official who was briefed on the meeting said.
"We wanted to make it clear to them (Iranians) that just as we co-operated with
them in Afghanistan, we will co-operate with them in Iraq. We're able and willing to
co-operate in Iraq," he said.
Iran, along with Iraq and North Korea, form what US President George W Bush has
described as the "axis of evil".
In London this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi had said a war would
have repercussions in Iran and that "Iran is basically against war and is not going
to support either side."
PTI
