BAGHDAD, Dec 17, (Agencies): Iraqi President Jalal Talabani expressed his hopes here Thursday that intensive contacts with Kuwait will lead to settlement of suspended issues between the two countries. Talabani also stressed, in an address which he delivered on the occasion of a resolution issued by the UN Security Council on lifting sactions on Iraq, the necessity of renouncing all aggressive intentions and acts followed by the defunct regime against neighboring countries.

Talabani said in his address that, “our people received with great comfort and overwhelming joy the international resolution of lifting the economic sanctions that were imposed on Iraq as a result of the unjust Saddamist aggression on the territories of the sisterly neighboring country of Kuwait.” He also said: “This resolution is an open recognition from the international community of what our people achieved in the past seven years on the path to eliminiating the huge after-effects left by the defunct despotic regime.”

Further, he considered the resolution, “an acknowledgement that the new Iraqi state is bent on continuing cooperation with the international community in order to lay the foundations of democratic values, human rights, and constructive peaceful cooperation with neighboring countries and the world as a whole on the basis of equality and mutual interests.”
Talabani also expressed his hopes that, “such intensive contacts with Kuwaiti brothers will lead to settling all suspended issues between the two countries within the spirit of brotherhood and the keenness on achieving a bright future for bilateral ties.” He also asserted that the Government of his country stresses, “renouncing all aggressive intentions and acts that were long sought by defunct dictatorial regime when dealing with our people or with the neighboring countries.”

Talabani offered thanks to the world body and its Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, expressing his gratitude for all UNSC member states that voted for this resolution, helped clear the air for its issue. He also hailed the efforts made by the US in this respect, deeming them, “a fulfillment of the pledges embedded in the agreements concluded between it and the Republic of Iraq.”
Talabani lauded the efforts exerted by Government of the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and the Iraqi diplomacy led by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari in order to reach such resolution that turns a new leaf in the history of new Iraq.
He also expressed his confidence and hopes at the same time, that, “the latest resolutions will be an incentive and a motive to expedite our efforts for carving out a national unity government on its constitutional schedules.” Iraq’s Prime Minister designates Nouri Al-Maliki asserted earlier that the State of Kuwait sustained heavy material and human losses due to the unjust invasion of Saddam Hussein late last century.

Exodus
Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency said Friday an “exodus” of thousands of Iraqi Christians was taking place following a deadly church attack in Baghdad carried out by al-Qaeda militants at the end of October.
“Since the Baghdad church attack on Oct 31, and subsequent targetted attacks, the Christian communities in Baghdad and Mosul have started a slow but steady exodus,” said Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
“At the moment, with this particular group, we have noticed that there is an exodus taking place,” she said, adding that “we know thousands have fled.”
Some 44 worshippers, two priests and seven security force personnel, were killed during the seizure of the Baghdad cathedral and ensuing shoot-out when it was stormed by troops.
Around 60 other people were wounded in the bloodbath, and the five militants who carried it out were also killed.
Fleming said the Christians had fled to other parts of Iraq or to neighbouring countries.
“Our offices in neighbouring Syria, Jordan and Lebanon are reporting a growing number of Iraqi Christians arriving and contacting UNHCR for registration and help,” she said.
“Churches and NGOS are warning us to expect more people fleeing in the coming weeks,” she added.
Fleming also called on host countries not to deport Iraqis seeking protection, as she expressed dismay at Sweden’s move to return a group of Iraqis — including five Christians, this week to Baghdad.

“UNHCR is dismayed that on Dec 15, Sweden once again forcibly returned a group of some 20 Iraqis to Baghdad. Among this group... were five Christians originally from Baghdad,” she said.
“UNHCR strongly reiterates its call on countries to refrain from deporting Iraqis who originate from the most perilous parts of the country,” she stressed.
Iraqi Christians have frequently been the target of violence, with hundreds killed and several churches attacked since the US-led invasion of 2003.
Between 800,000 and 1.2 million Christians lived in Iraq in 2003 but their number has dropped to about 500,000 as many have fled abroad in the face of the violence.
According to witnesses, the Oct 31 siege began with heavily armed militants bursting into the church during Sunday mass and taking about 80 worshippers hostage. It ended with a raid by Iraqi special forces.
The Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaeda affiliate which has declared all Christians to be legitimate targets, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Terror
Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani offered Tehran his ministry’s support and experience in fighting terror Friday, just days after a suicide bomber killed 34 people in southeastern Iran.
Bolani, who is hoping to keep his job when Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki names his cabinet in the coming days, said his country had been on the “frontline” in the battle against terrorism for several years, and that the Iraqi people sympathised with Iran.
“We have always been on the frontline of the fight against terrorists in past years,” he said in a statement to the press. “The Iraqi people have tasted that bitterness, which makes them sympathise with Iran and stand side-by-side in this crisis.”
“My ministry expresses its readiness to present its support and experience in the field of fighting terrorism, and all possible means to break the back of terrorism in the future.”

On Wednesday, a suicide bomber from Sunni militant group Jundallah killed 34 faithful taking part in an Ashura procession in the southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchestan province.
A second attacker was killed by police, Iranian officials said. Iran said the suicide attack originated from a Jundallah base in neighbouring Pakistan.
Though violence has been on the decline in Iraq in recent months, it remains high by international standards.
The death toll from violence in Iraq in November was the lowest in a year for the second month running, with 171 people still killed in attacks.
Bolani failed to win a seat in Iraq’s parliament during March elections and his bloc won just four seats in the 325-member assembly. Maliki must name his cabinet by Dec 25.