Iraqi President Talabani upset by arrest of Iranians by U.S. forces

Jalal Talabani and Iran's Mahmud Ahmadinejad met in Iran on November 29

BAGHDAD — Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Monday protested the arrest by U.S. forces of two Iranian envoys who were in Iraq at his invitation, a spokesman said.

Officials in Washington confirmed the detentions, first reported in the New York Times, saying the two officials were among an unspecified number of Iranians apprehended in raids last week aimed at groups suspected of plotting attacks against U.S. and Iraqi targets.

The incident underscored divergent approaches toward Iran's attempts to expand its role in Iraq and the containment of militant Shiite Muslim groups allegedly funded by Tehran.

President Bush has resisted pressure to open talks with Iran, which the United States accuses of arming and funding Shiite militiamen in Iraq. American officials have also accused Tehran of supplying technology used to make roadside bombs. Iran denies the U.S. charges, saying its ties to Iraq are political and religious.

"We suspect this event validates our claims about Iranian meddling, but we want to finish our investigation of the detained Iranians before characterizing their activities," White House spokesman Alex Conant said.

Iraqi officials have forged ahead with diplomatic contacts with Iran, and are distressed about a possible setback.

Last month, Talabani flew to Tehran to enlist the support of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in quelling the violence in Iraq and rebuilding its shattered economy. The two signed agreements aimed at boosting ties.

It was during the Tehran visit that Talabani extended the invitation to the two envoys who were detained last week, said Hiwa Osman, his spokesman. Talabani "is unhappy about the arrests" and has raised the issue with U.S. officials, Osman said.

Read the rest at the LA Times

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