Sometimes it's useful to see how the other side feel - or at least how they say they feel. Iran's National Security Advisor and senior envoy Ali Larijani is in Iraq to meet Prime Minister Maliki right now. AP reports on a part of their exchanges. Larijani told Maliki that the U.S. military presence in Iraq is a serious threat to Iran's security but Tehran is willing to moderate its policies if it receives security guarantees from the U.S., and scorned suggestions Iraq could give any guarantees without US say-so:
The Associated Press was briefed about the talks by an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was nor authorized to release the information.At least Bush and Larijani agree on one thing - Iraq's sovereignty is a joke. But I really, really want to hear Tony Snow spin that bit from Maliki about Iraq wouldn't allow the US to attack Iran from Iraqi soil! Is there a press reporter with enough backbone to ask if the US would accept such a prohibition quietly?
According to the official, Larijani told al-Maliki that Iran's national security "is not for compromise" and "above all considerations."
The prime minister replied that Iraq's security is very important to his government "and we need help from neighboring countries."
"Your (Iran's) conflict is with the America," al-Maliki said.
Larijani responded that Iraq is "part of the United States" because of the presence of more than 140,000 U.S. troops. More are expected next month as part of the Baghdad security operation.
"Iraq is part of America's project and for that reason we are forced to deal this way with it. America's presence in Iraq is a serious danger to us. Iraq now is part of this danger," Larijani said.
Al-Maliki tried to convince Larijani that his government would not allow the U.S. to attack Iran from Iraq, saying the Iraqis were prepared to offer guarantees.
"What guarantee? If America gave the guarantees then we will be reassured and our strategy will change," the Iranian replied.
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