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Bush Warns Iran Not To Help al-Qaida
Thursday, January 10, 2002
By MSNBC News Services

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report

Iran allowed Afghan refugees to set up tents just inside its border during its neighbor's internal conflict, but now U.S. officials fear Iran is also harboring al-Qaida fighters.
Photo Credit: The Associated Press.

President reacts to reports of ‘mischief’ along border

WASHINGTON -- Source
Following a report that Iran might be harboring al-Qaida fighters and trying to undermine the new Afghan government, President Bush on Thursday delivered a blunt warning that the U.S.-led coalition “will deal with them,” if that proves to be the case. Iran denied any interference in Afghan affairs.

“We would hope that they would continue to be a positive force in helping us to bring people to justice,” Bush said when asked by a journalist about the reports. “We would hope for example they wouldn’t allow al-Qaida murderers to hide in their country. We would hope that if that be the case, if someone tries to flee into Iran, that they would hand them over to us.”

“If they are part of the coalition, then they need to be an active part of the coalition,” he added.

“If they in any way, shape or form try to destabilize the government, the coalition will deal with them in diplomatic ways, initially,” Bush said.
(More: MSNBC.com News Source)
2002 © MSNBC News Services.

Dan