US Presence Intensifies Violence In Afghanistan - Iran Minister

Kabul, Nov 29, IRNA – Visiting Interior Minister of Iran Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said here Monday evening the US presence in Afghanistan intensified violence, poppy cultivation and production of narcotics in that neighboring country. Mohammad Najjar made the remarks in a meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul, stressing that the presence of the US forces in Afghanistan also increased murder, insecurity and corruption. The meeting was held on the sidelines of tripartite talks between Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Kabul. During his talks, Mohammad Najjar expressed Iran's protest to establishment of US military base in Afghanistan. The Afghan foreign minister, for his part, appreciated Iran's efforts to assisst and give shelter to Afghan immigrants in the past three decades. Rasoul reiterated that regional problems should be solved through regional cooperation so that the hands of foreigners would be cut off. Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan tripartite meeting, focusing on fight against drug-smuggling, wound up Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Iranian interior minister conferred with top Afghan officials on several international and regional issues./end