Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030372320100.htm

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U.S. brought terrorism to the region: Ahmadinejad

The Iranian President on a key visit to Iraq aimed at laying the foundation for special ties

Atul Aneja writes from Dubai:

Earlier, Mr. Ahmadinejad arrived in Baghdad on a key visit aimed at laying the foundation for a special relationship between the neighbours.

His host, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, described the visit as “historic.” Mr. Ahmadinejad is the first Iranian President to step on Iraqi soil since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The two countries fought a bitter eight-year war in the 1980s. While politics and security issues are high on the agenda, both countries, with majority Shia populations, are keen to anchor their energy and trade ties during Mr. Ahmadinejad’s stay.Iran will start exporting 200 MW of electricity to Iraq next week, after a power link is established between the Iranian oil city of Abadan and Basra in Iraq.