Iran-Iraq Ties Improve as Envoy Is Promoted

Iran’s top diplomat in Baghdad presented his credentials to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani as his nation’s first ambassador to Iraq in more than 25 years, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The promotion of Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, who had already been Tehran’s leading diplomat in Iraq, indicates an improvement in official relations between the nations, which have been at the lower diplomatic level of charges d’affaires since ambassadors were withdrawn shortly before the Iran-Iraq war of 1980 to 1988.

“Upgrading the level of relations between the two countries will open a new page in the history of ties between the two countries,” IRNA quoted Talabani as telling Kazemi-Qomi upon receiving his credentials Tuesday night.

Talabani also said Iraq wanted Iran to help in reconstruction efforts, according to IRNA.

The Iraqi government has accused Tehran of sending agents and money into the war-torn country to stir up trouble in behalf of pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim factions.

Iran repeatedly has denied interfering in Iraq, but last month fired artillery shells at suspected Kurdish rebels inside Iraq.

The Kurdish provinces of northern Iraq form the country’s most stable and prosperous region.

But neighboring Iran and Turkey, which have large Kurdish minorities, view the region as a source of inspiration and support for Kurdish separatist militants.