Mossad Delegation Visits Baghdad And Coordinates With U.S. On Terrorism

Bassel Mohamad      Al-Hayat      2003/09/3

Baghdad

A Kurdish official revealed that an Israeli security delegation visited Baghdad on August 22 and 23, in order to coordinate with U.S. intelligence on the issue of terrorism. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed Al-Hayat that the mentioned delegation carried out a field tour in Baghdad, and an air tour in a U.S. helicopter above Mosul, Tikrit and Ramadi.     

The source insisted that a U.S.-Israeli security coordination in Iraq had become necessary to both parties, in light of reports mentioning the growing influence of Al Qaeda and Ansar Al Islam, and as a result of serious fears from a security cooperation between Iran and Syria, which the U.S. and Israel believe will be targeted against them.

Following meetings with Iranian political and military officials two days ago, Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had mentioned that a Zionist delegation visited Baghdad, without identifying the nature of its mission.

The Kurdish official added that the U.S. Central Intelligence could have sought the help of Mossad against "terrorist" organizations active in Baghdad. He added that the "Americans are contacting intelligence forces in the region in order to coordinate on security issues and strengthen the means of fighting terror in Iraq."