Talabani stresses importance of int’l probe into Baghdad bombings

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani stressed in New York on Thursday the importance of starting an international probe into the Baghdad attacks which took place last month, condemning the foreign interference in Iraq’s internal affairs. In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Talabani reiterated his call for the Security Council to authorise an international probe into the attacks in Iraq that he said could not have been carried out without outside support. The president said a recent series of bombings and terrorist attacks that killed dozens of people in Iraq has reached the level of genocide. He considered that circumstances which placed Iraq under UN Charter Chapter VII have come to an end. As expected, Iraqi President tackled the issue of foreign interference in Iraqi affairs before the United Nations. Iraq has a major test in January 2010 with legislative elections that will determine the country’s progress towards democracy and authority transfer in a civilized way. He said Iraq was also seeking improved cooperation with neighbouring countries to control the country’s borders, exchange information and prevent groups that support terrorism from working against the country. SH (S) 1