DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - IRAQ/IRAN/U.S.A.: IRAN WILL NOT ATTEND THE "IRAQ SECURITY CONFERENCE" UNLESS THE U.S. OF A. FREES THE 5 IRANIANS IT IS HOLDING

MIDDLE EAST: IRAN WILL NOT ATTEND IRAQ SECURITY CONFERENCE

Tehran, 19 April (AKI) - Iran will not take part in a summit on security in Iraq scheduled next month in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh unless Washington frees five Iranians taken by US troops in the Kurdish-controlled Iraqi city of Erbil on 11 January, an Iranian diplomatic source told Adnkronos International (AKI). The five are believed to belong to special units of the Revolutionary Guard, the Pasdaran, though Iran claims they are diplomats.

Tehran, which the US accuses of helping Shiite insurgents in Iraq, is also reportedly not attending because the summit was moved from its original venue in Istanbul, Turkey. The change of plans was blamed by Iranian authorities on Iraqi Kurds whose relations with Turkey have recently further worsened after Ankara's announcement that it will pursue PKK militants also in areas under the control of the regional government of Kurdistan in Iraq.

The conference will be attended by the United States, Britain as well as neighbouring countries and representatives from EU governments including Italy.


Pertinent Links:

1) MIDDLE EAST: IRAN WILL NOT ATTEND IRAQ SECURITY CONFERENCE