Iran, Iraq Ready to Resolve the War Issues

The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq have examined the issue of remaining POWs in the two countries, Iran Daily newspaper reported on Sunday.

Visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri Ahmad told his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharazi that Baghdad was prepared to resolve the issues pending from the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War.

"Baghdad is keen on increasing exchanges between the two countries," he was cited as saying, noting that his country would " do everything possible" to obliterate the bitter memories of the past.

Meanwhile, director general of Iranian Interior Ministry's Bureau of Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs Hosseinalli Ebrahimi said Saturday that Iran and Iraq have agreed to settle pending issues related to both countries' refugees.

"Iraqi refugees living in Iran can return home voluntarily after submitting valid document of identity to the Joint Iran-Iraq Refugee Commission," he said.

"Iran, in cooperation with the Iraqi side, has paved the way for the voluntary return of the Iraqis to their homeland," the official said.

Hosseinalli Ebrahimi put the total number of Iraqi refugees in Iran at close to 300,000.

Iran and Iraq waged an eight-year war from 1980 to 1988 that left hundreds of thousands dead on each side.

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2002)