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WOLF BLITZER: Also
regarding Iraq, the nation the United States is now
directly accusing of having the blood of U.S. troops
on its hands is suggesting that the Iraq progress
report is simply theater. Iran's ambassador to Iraq
spoke exclusively with CNN's Michael Ware.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSAN KAZEMI QOMI, IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ
(THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The report given by the United
States administration to the Congress, a part of
which you refer to here, lacks truth. The report, in
truth, resembles a theatrical scenario more than
anything. But the problem of terrorism cannot be
solved through continuing the occupation or bringing
back to power former killers and murderers, a trend
which we are regretfully seeing in the U.S. policy.
And our recommendation to the United States
administration, if it wants to solve the problems and
serve Iraq, is to end these policies. Instead of
arming forces that act outside the law and the
government, the U.S. should arm and help the
government, the army and police.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Let's go to Baghdad. Michael Ware is
standing by.
Some potentially inflammatory words, Michael, from
the Iranian ambassador.
But give us a little flavor of what's going on there.
You suggested the other day that this war in Iraq
seems to be emerging as almost a proxy war involving
Iran and the United States.
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, and it has
been for some time. But now it's reaching fever
pitch, Wolf.
And I think if you study the testimony given over the
past two days very closely, you'll see that there's
certainly a rhetorical shift that's matching the
military shift away from Al Qaeda to a certain
degree, and focusing on the main long game, which is
Iran.
So that's why we sat down with the Iranian
ambassador. We're one of the few people from the
Western media that he ever talks to.
Let me give you some of the dot points. I mean this
is the drama, the great game of Iran versus America
in Iraq.
Following the testimony, he returns serve on behalf
of Iran. He denies the allegations about arming
militias and, indeed, counters that by saying that
Iran is in possession of evidence of America arming
and supporting anti-government militias fighting
against the regime in Tehran. He's talking about
Kurdish separatist groups and Baloch separatist
groups. He then throws down the gauntlet, says if the
Americans have evidence against us, let's hear it
through official channels. Give it to the Swiss
embassy in Tehran. At the same time, he says we're
ready to give you our evidence of you meddling in our
affairs. We'll give it to the Swiss.
It's a daring challenge.
He also challenges the cornerstone of U.S. policy --
engaging the Sunni tribes. He calls that bringing
back the murderers of the old regime. He also says
that this is weakening the Maliki government, which
must remain. And he threatens any attempt to
undermine the Maliki government -- as we've heard
U.S. politicians calling for the prime minister's
removal -- he says the cost of that will be high and
it will affect U.S. security.
Basically, he says the occupation should be over, the
president's policy to bring terrorists in has worked.
You're breeding them. It's now a terrorist training
camp. Leave this to the region. Let Iraq arm the
Iraqis. If you don't, we will. Get out and let the
region handle this. This is none of your business.
Wolf, it's quite challenging stuff.
BLITZER: And this ambassador -- the Iranian
ambassador has met twice now with the U.S.
ambassador, Ryan Crocker.
He's going to be here in THE SITUATION ROOM later
this hour. We're going to talk about Iran a little
bit.
But give us a sense of his mood.
Is this an ambassador -- a diplomat who seems to be
confident, cocky that his side, in effect, is winning
or did he seem to be on the defensive?
WARE: Look, to use a boxing analogy, Wolf, in terms
of the Iranian ambassador and the regime in Tehran in
general, you cannot lay a glove on them. These are
very polished, very professional, very experienced
individuals backed by a very cohesive military
regime. The ambassador is cool as they come.
According to American intelligence, he's actually a
senior officer in the Quds Force -- the very unit
that the Americans claim is arming these militias.
He's had previous postings in Afghanistan where he
actually helped the Americans. He's also had postings
in Lebanon with close ties to Hezbollah.
This is a guy who's not phased. And as far as he and
his government is concerned, they don't owe America
anything. All of the cards are in their hand and
they're not willing to offer America a scrap even
from the table. They think there's no interest.
They're winning and there's nothing America can do
about it -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, good work, as usual.
Michael Ware reporting for us from Baghdad. He gets
another exclusive today. And please join us tomorrow
night for a special expanded two hour SITUATION ROOM
as we preview President Bush's address to the nation.
Our coverage starts 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The
president's address 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Let's go to Jack Cafferty once again.
He's in New York with The Cafferty File -- Jack.
CAFFERTY: Is Michael Ware any good or what?
BLITZER: He's excellent.
CAFFERTY: Unbelievable. I mean it's unbelievable. I
love the last line -- we're winning and there's
nothing the United States can do about it.
BLITZER: You notice, Jack, the Iranian ambassador --
the Iranians in general, they never wear bow ties or
any kind of ties. Michael Ware never wears a tie
either, but for different reasons.
CAFFERTY: I understand. I also enjoyed his boxing
analogy.
BLITZER: Yes.
* * * * *
When this
piece re-ran during TSR's third hour, Jack had more
to say...
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WOLF BLITZER: Let's go to
Jack Cafferty. He is in New York with "The Cafferty
File" -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: He's the only reporter in
all of the media, not just at CNN, that gets these
kinds of stories. I don't see this kind of stuff
anywhere else.
BLITZER: He does a really -- I haven't seen the
Iranian ambassador talk to anybody else...
CAFFERTY: Yes.
BLITZER: ... any other news organization, forget
about print or electronic, but Michael got him.
CAFFERTY: Simply remarkable, it is just great
stuff.