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The Globalist | Global Diplomacy -- Iran as a U.S. Ally?



Iran-US-Syrian cooperation vs Iraq?
http://www.theglobalist.com/DBWeb/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=2848
Title: The Globalist | Global Diplomacy -- Iran as a U.S. Ally?
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Is the United States making new friends?

Special Feature > Global Diplomacy
Iran as a U.S. Ally?
 

By Martin Walker | Tuesday, November 12, 2002
 

The U.S. war on terrorism has certainly made some strange bedfellows. In fact, the Bush Administration may have received some help with the passage of the UN Iraq resolution from an “evil” source. Globalist columnist, Martin Walker, explains.


So why, to the great surprise of Syria’s own diplomats at the United Nations, did Damasacus decide at the last minute to join the other 14 Security Council members — and vote for the Resolution against Iraq?

The conventional wisdom at the UN is that it was the Russians and French who both pressed Syrian President Bashar Assad to make the vote unanimous. But Middle Eastern sources say that the vital factor was Syria’s most important ally — Iran.

A surprise from Damascus

Tehran and Damascus have been arguing back and forth over the past month about Iran’s decision to give “limited cooperation” including the use of its air space to the Americans and British against Iraq.

Military cooperation with Washington could pay off big for Tehran after the war.

Just before the crucial UN vote on November 8, the rift was made public by Syria’s best known media figure and unofficial spokesman, Ibrahim Hamidi.

Syria's President Bashar Assad then spoke to his Iranian counterpart, President Mohammed Khatami. Hours later, Syria cast its vote against Iraq.

Building links

Amazingly, Iran’s cooperation is going a lot further than allowing British and American warplanes into their airspace.

Building on the cautious links made between U.S. Special Forces and specialized units of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard during the fighting against the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, the Iranians are giving far more help than anybody ever expected.

Toward a big pay-off?

As a result, U.S. liaison officers from Central Command staff have been appointed to discuss logistics needs with the Iranian counterparts, starting with U.S. hopes to send heavy bridging equipment for crossing the Euphrates through Iran into Iraq.

Behind the scenes, the Iranians are giving far more help to the U.S. war effort than anybody ever expected.

There are also strong rumors inside the Special Forces community that Iranian specialist troops have been inserted alongside U.S. and British Special Forces teams currently operating in the marsh districts of southern Iraq.

This could pay off big for Tehran after the war.

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Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Learn more about Iranian diplomacy.

Syrian Ministry of Tourism
Learn more about Syria and its culture.

Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Learn more about Iraq's relations with the world.


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