Gulf | Bahrain
Iran's role in Iraq will top agenda of Manama meeting
"Rice is expected to tell her counterparts their countries need to strengthen their presence in Iraq, to counterbalance Tehran's influence which the Americans feel very uneasy about."
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 20:11 April 18, 2008
Manama: Iran's increasing influence in Iraq will top the agenda of a meeting on Saturday between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the foreign ministers of the GCC, Jordan and Egypt.
"Rice will be pushing hard for greater diplomatic support for Iraq, including the reopening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors in Baghdad," diplomatic sources told Gulf News on Friday.
"Rice is expected to tell her counterparts their countries need to strengthen their presence in Iraq, to counterbalance Tehran's influence which the Americans feel very uneasy about," the sources said.
Last week, American President George Bush said Iran and Al Qaida were two of the greatest threats to America this century and that Iraq was their convergence point.
"If we fail there, Al Qaida would claim a propaganda victory of colossal proportions, and they could gain safe havens in Iraq from which to attack the United States, our friends and our allies. Iran would work to fill the vacuum in Iraq, and our failure would embolden its radical leaders and fuel their ambitions to dominate the region," he said.
But Rice, who has nine months left in her post, will face a formidable task in her attempt to win over the foreign ministers at the 6+2+1 meeting as it is known in Bahrain, the sources said.
The GCC countries have been particularly wary about sending ambassadors to Baghdad citing safety concerns, and have been reluctant to be drawn into the political and sectarian chaos plaguing Iraq.
New ambassador
However, Bahrain last month announced that it would soon name an ambassador to Baghdad, almost three years after its former top envoy, Hassan Al Ansari, was shot and wounded by gunmen as he made his way to work in the Mansour district.
Bush welcomed Bahrain's decision, saying it was "a very strong move that indicated a willingness to send a signal that when a young democracy like Iraq is beginning to make progress, that it is important for the neighbourhood to recognise that progress".
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