Iran May Assist With Reconstruction in Iraq

October 4, 2003

THE WORLD
Iran May Assist With Reconstruction in Iraq
By Robin Wright, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — Despite a quarter-century of tension with Iran, the United States has reached out to the Islamic Republic for help in the postwar reconstruction of Iraq — and is getting it, according to U.S. and Iranian officials.

Iran will participate in an international donors conference this month in Madrid, and may end up as one of the few aid contributors. It is already offering to provide water, electricity and technical assistance to Iraq, a top Iranian diplomat said Friday. He said his government was prepared to pledge additional aid, although probably not cash.

Iran's possible role in Iraq comes as Washington and Tehran try to resume the behind-the-scenes discussions they aborted in May, senior U.S. officials said.

"We've seen some signs and heard from others that the Iranians want to talk," a senior State Department official said Friday. "We're sending some signals back." (snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-usiran4oct04,1,3363389.story?coll=la-headlines-world

good lord, does THAT stupid phrase still ring in my ears...

The longer Iran has to finish other work of interest like preparing for Bush's invasion.

The Iranians maybe cagier than Bush thinks.