Iraq`s charge d`affaires meets press with US

Hussain met the press in New Delhi in the company of US Ambassador to India David Mulford while requesting Indian assistance for rebuilding infrastructure in post-war Iraq.

The press interaction, the first since landmark elections were held in the war-ravaged country, was packed with Indian and foreign print and electronic media.

According to IRNA`s correspondent here, the new representative noted that India has a long experience of working in the Mideast region.

"Iraq could benefit from their expertise," he added.

Asked whether Baghdad has made any formal request to India for assistance, he said, "Iraq appreciates the positive stance of the Indian government...I wish we can receive more and more help from it."

Addressing the unconventional press meet in the company of the US ambassador, the new Iraqi charge d` affaires said in an intriguing statement that the US invasion of of Iraq was a "small price" to pay for "democracy."

The press conference was held with the Iraqi and American flags in the backdrop in the hastily done up residence of the Iraqi ambassador in New Delhi.

The US ambassador said he was optimistic that his government was not making any special request to the Indian side for assistance in Iraq, and added that it was left for India and Iraq to work out matters between themselves.

Another interesting moment of the press conference came when questions were raised about the fate of the former dictator, Saddam Hussein, which elicited this response: "We do not like to think about Saddam Hussein, we do not like to remember him."

The press meet was an introductory venture of the new charge d` affaires to India intended to attract new enterprising players into the war-torn economy.

However, the attending mass of media professionals learned from the charge d`affaires that there was no possibility of withdrawal of US troops from Iraq in the near future.