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9/1/03
Iran FM: US has made mistake in drawing up Iraq strategy

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said in Kuwait City on Monday that the United States has made mistake in drawing up its strategy on Iraq, IRNA reported.

In a meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad as-Sabah, Kharrazi said that the Americans did not heed Iran`s advice which could have helped restore peace and stability in Iraq.

"Iran had urged for an immediate hand-over of administration in Iraq to the United Nations. Iraq should be ceded to Iraqis themselves to restore national sovereignty with participation of people from all walks of life and from different ethnic background," he said.

Kharrazi regretted that the former Iraqi regime set afire the region two times and destroyed financial resources, a reference to Iraqi-imposed war and Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

He expressed grief at martyrdom of Iraqi religious leader Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer Hakim and said that it was a great loss for the Iraqi people and the entire region.

He called for implementation of the accords already signed between the two countries and for activation of the special committee on joint investment.

As-Sabah called for exchange of views between Iranian and Kuwaiti officials and said that Kuwait is willing to develop relations with the Islamic Republic of iran.

He said that the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) is interested in developing cooperation with other countries. As-Sabah said that martyrdom of late Ayatollah Mohamamd Baqer Hakim was a great blow to peace and security of the region.

http://www.payvand.com/news/03/sep/1000.html

Iran delays trial over Canadian journalist's murder

Last Update: Tuesday, September 2, 2003.

An Iranian judge examining evidence against two officials charged with killing a Canadian journalist has ordered the investigators to provide more information before the case is brought to court.

Iran's official news agency says the judge has queried several sections of the investigator's report, in which two Intelligence Ministry officials are accused of the semi-intentional murder of Zahra Kazemi last June.

Iranian officials say the 54-year-old photo-journalist was killed by blows to the head after she was detained while taking photographs outside a Tehran prison.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry has denied its staff were behind Ms Kazemi's death.

The issue has sparked a diplomatic row between Canada and Iran.

Ottawa has since recalled its Tehran ambassador in protest.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s937252.htm