This is good news . . . . for Islamic jihadists throughout the world:
Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad outlined an ambitious plan on Sunday to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq — including an Iranian national bank branch in the heart of the capital — just as the Bush administration has been warning the Iranians to stop meddling in Iraqi affairs. . . . The Iranian ambassador, Hassan Kazemi Qumi, said Iran was prepared to offer Iraqi government forces training, equipment and advisers for what he called "the security fight." In the economic area, Mr. Qumi said, Iran was ready to assume major responsibility for the reconstruction of Iraq, an area of failure on the part of the United States since American-led forces overthrew Saddam Hussein nearly four years ago. "We have experience of reconstruction after war," Mr. Qumi said, referring to the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. "We are ready to transfer this experience in terms of reconstruction to the Iraqis."
Well done Bush, McCain, Joe.
We are surging for Tehran. Congratulations George. Congratulations John. Congratulations Joe. The imams in Tehran thank you. The Iranians stand poised:
In a surprise announcement, Mr. Qumi said Iran would soon open a national bank in Iraq, in effect creating a new Iranian financial institution right under the Americans’ noses. A senior Iraqi banking official, Hussein al-Uzri, confirmed that Iran had received a license to open the new bank, which Mr. Uzri said would apparently be the first "wholly owned subsidiary bank" of a foreign country in Iraq.
"This will enhance trade between the two countries," Mr. Uzri said.
Mr. Qumi said the bank was just the first of what he said would be several in Iraq — an agricultural bank and three private banks also intend to open branches. Other elements of new economic cooperation, he said, include plans for Iranian shipments of kerosene and electricity to Iran and a new agricultural cooperative involving both countries.
He would not provide specifics on Iran’s offer of increased military assistance to Iraq, but said it included increased border patrols and a proposed new "joint security committee."
The Iraqis say:
"We are welcoming all the initiatives to participate in the process of reconstruction," said Qasim Daoud, a former national security adviser who is now a secular Shiite member of Parliament. "My belief is that our strategic alliance is with the Americans, but at the same time we are looking for the participation of any country that would like to participate," Mr. Daoud said.
Barham Salih, a deputy prime minister who is Kurdish and whose duties include economic matters, took sharper issue with Mr. Qumi’s criticism of the American presence. "Iraqi national interest requires seeking good neighborly relations with Iran as with other neighbors, but that requires respect for Iraqi sovereignty," Mr. Salih said.
Congratulations George, Dick, Don, Paul, Bolton, Colin, Condi, John (McCain), Joe (Lieberman), Bill (Kristol), David (Brooks), Tom (Friedman) and all the rest.
The Islamic Republic thanks you.