British General: Iran Influence Only Speculation

By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer
1 hour, 26 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The commander of British-led forces in southeastern Iraq said Friday that concerns about Iranian efforts to influence events in Iraq are based more on speculation than on facts.

The remark by Maj. Gen. Jim B. Dutton of the British Royal Marines contrasted with criticisms of Iran by U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who have said repeatedly that Iran is interfering in Iraq's internal affairs.

Rumsfeld said Thursday that Iran is opposing Iraq's efforts to build a democracy.

"There's no question but that Iran is a problem for Iraq as well in terms of their developing a reasonably representative system," Rumsfeld told the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.

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