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[Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only]

Iran blasts foreign military presence in Gulf

Friday, 3 December 1999 17:30 (GMT) - (UPI Focus)

TEHRAN, Iran, Dec. 3 (UPI) - Iran's Navy commnader, Admiral Abbas Mohtaj, condemned Friday as "unjustified" the continued military presence of U.S. and other Western forces in the Gulf, saying it only causes more tension in the region.

Speaking during the Friday prayers, Mohtaj said the countries of the region realize that they "are exposed to common threats and subsequently they should cooperate to ensure the security of the region.

"He added that the Gulf states "are capable of safeguarding the security of the region and there is no need" for any foreign forces." Mohtaj assured that Iran had never "pursued expansionist policies" and was keen to cooperate with its neighbors to preserve peace and security in the Gulf.

He was speaking to mark the "Naval Forces Week" meant to commemorate the death of Iranian Navy soldiers who were killed during the 1980-88 war with Iraq.

URL: http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=26374

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-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), December 04, 1999

Answers

What do you think would happen if the russians of chinese had a permanent military presents in the gulf of Mexico of the same strengt then the us has there? (BTW they could if they want)I will bet the US would scream.

-- Rickjohn (rickjohn1@yahoo.com), December 04, 1999.