Iraqis will not accept bribes against country’s interests – U.S. commander

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqis will not accept bribes that stand against their country’s interests, noting that there are intelligence reports assert Iranian attempts to affect some lawmakers’ decision through bribing them, the communication official of the U.S. army said on Wednesday. “The U.S. army has intelligence information asserting Iranian attempts to pay off some lawmakers to vote against the security agreement,” Admiral Patrick Dreskol said at a press conference in Baghdad. The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq had said the United States believes Iranian agents have attempted to bribe Iraqi lawmakers. General Ray Odierno said Iran is trying to undermine a bilateral agreement that would allow U.S. troops to remain in Iraq after the end of this year, when the United Nations’ mandate ends. Odierno noted that the U.S. has no definitive proof of the bribes. But he said many U.S. intelligence reports suggest Iranians are “coming in to pay off people to vote against it.” There was no immediate reaction from Tehran. Last week, Iraq’s foreign minister said the United States and Iraq are very close to finalizing a deal. The two sides have been divided over granting U.S. servicemen and women immunity for any crimes committed in Iraq. SH (S)/SR 1