Iran accuses UK of cooperating with Ahvaz bombers
TEHRAN, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Iran on Wednesday accused the British military of cooperating with bombers who killed nine people in southwest Iran, but Britain denied involvement.
A little-known group campaigning for independence for Iran's Arab minority claimed responsibility in a Web statement for Tuesday's attacks on a bank and government building in the oil city of Ahvaz.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said London's involvement was clear and that Tehran would make strong protests to Britain.
"Yesterday's murders in Ahvaz were committed by those who proudly have their photographs taken with British officials. They enjoy the cooperation of British army commanders and use their facilities in Basra," he told a news conference.
"We hope British officials take this seriously, put it on their agenda and act accountably."
Iran has had a deep suspicion of Britain since the 19th century, when Britain and Russia jostled for diplomatic and military influence in Persia during the so-called "Great Game".
A British Foreign Ministry spokesman swiftly rebuffed Mottaki's accusation.
"We were not involved and condemn all terrorism," he said.
The claim of responsibility was posted on a Web site used by Iranian Arab militants.
"Our heroes ... in the military wing of The Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz attacked and destroyed the dens of the occupying enemy," the statement said.
OIL
Only about three percent of Iran's 69 million people are Arabs but authorities are very sensitive about protests and discontent in the southwestern Arab territories, home to Iran's biggest oil fields.
Iran sits on the world's second biggest crude reserves.
Ahvaz has been tense since April, when five people died in protests sparked by rumours the government was considering settling non-Arabs in southwest Iran to dilute Arab influence there.
Seven people were killed in bombings in June and six died in a blast in October. Some minor oil facilities were bombed in September.
A preliminary United Nations report has pointed to discrimination against Arabs by the Tehran government in access to basic amenities, resources and legal rights.
(Additional reporting by Madeline Chambers in London and Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai)
A little-known group campaigning for independence for Iran's Arab minority claimed responsibility in a Web statement for Tuesday's attacks on a bank and government building in the oil city of Ahvaz.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said London's involvement was clear and that Tehran would make strong protests to Britain.
"Yesterday's murders in Ahvaz were committed by those who proudly have their photographs taken with British officials. They enjoy the cooperation of British army commanders and use their facilities in Basra," he told a news conference.
"We hope British officials take this seriously, put it on their agenda and act accountably."
Iran has had a deep suspicion of Britain since the 19th century, when Britain and Russia jostled for diplomatic and military influence in Persia during the so-called "Great Game".
A British Foreign Ministry spokesman swiftly rebuffed Mottaki's accusation.
"We were not involved and condemn all terrorism," he said.
The claim of responsibility was posted on a Web site used by Iranian Arab militants.
"Our heroes ... in the military wing of The Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz attacked and destroyed the dens of the occupying enemy," the statement said.
OIL
Only about three percent of Iran's 69 million people are Arabs but authorities are very sensitive about protests and discontent in the southwestern Arab territories, home to Iran's biggest oil fields.
Iran sits on the world's second biggest crude reserves.
Ahvaz has been tense since April, when five people died in protests sparked by rumours the government was considering settling non-Arabs in southwest Iran to dilute Arab influence there.
Seven people were killed in bombings in June and six died in a blast in October. Some minor oil facilities were bombed in September.
A preliminary United Nations report has pointed to discrimination against Arabs by the Tehran government in access to basic amenities, resources and legal rights.
(Additional reporting by Madeline Chambers in London and Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai)
posted by Marko at 1/25/2006 08:26:00 AM
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