Asked if Iran had launched a proxy war in Iraq -- something the U.S. ambassador and top military commander there both asserted this week -- Ahmadinejad said the United States is merely seeking a scapegoat for its failing campaign in Iraq.
What proxy war?
BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has reported Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has established a network in Shi'ite sectors of Baghdad to help fuel the insurgency against the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. They said IRGC's Quds Force was helping train and equip Shi'ite and Sunni insurgents for operations against U.S. and Iraqi troops. "IRGC has established a significant presence in Baghdad's Shi'ite neighborhoods, particularly in Sadr City," an official said. "They are pouring in weapons, financing and facilitating travel of insurgents to Iran for advanced training."
During the interview, Ahmadinejad struck a friendly tone toward Britain, saying he regretted that British soldiers have died in Iraq.
"We are sorry for your soldiers to be killed. We think peace should exist. Why should there be an invasion so that people will be killed?" he asked.
"We want friendship -- friendship to all. We love all nations and all human beings. Anyone who is killed, we are against it."
Olmert, it' really not that hard to make your point when the target is a bunch of well circling, mahdi searching, apocalyptic, genocidal racists
On Wednesday, U.S. and Iraqi troops captured what officials termed a major Iranian operative in Iraq. The unidentified operative, arrested in Karbala, was identified as a Quds Force officer who helped establish a new Shi'ite militia in Baghdad and southern Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported. "The detained individual is suspected of coordinating with high-level IRGC-QF officers for the transportation of multiple Iraqis to Iran for terrorist training at IRGC-QF training camps," a U.S. military statement said. "He is also a known logistics facilitator providing lethal aid to terrorists operating in central Baghdad." Officials said the U.S. military has intensified efforts to capture IRGC officers in Iraq. They said IRGC has sent senior officers into Baghdad, Basra and Karbala to oversee the so-called Special Groups, which has been conducting bombings and other strikes against the U.S.-led coalition.
When the ITN interviewer asked if he could tour the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran, Ahmadinejad chuckled and asked him if he thought the United States or Britain would allow Iran to inspect their nuclear facilities.
"We do not need a bomb. We are against bombs, actually.
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