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Frank Gaffney was asked if Iran and Syria should help:" I don't think they should. Under their present regimes - let's be clear a very substantial part of the problem we have in Iraq is because of what Iran and Syria permit to operate in their territory. My guess is the regimes will only help if these regimes think that the end result of Iraq is an Iraq to their liking, i.e. an Iraq that is a religous and authoritarian regime."

Ambassador Moustapha, Syrian representative to the USA responded: "I respect Frank's views a lot. I invited him to Syria once - he declined. As long as there are people in Washington D.C. deciding what's good for the Middle East then the troubles will continue. Syria has a stake in stabilising the situation in Iraq. Throughout the past 3 years the US administration has opposed the role of Syrian involvement."

Professor Zibakalam in Tehran: "Iran, despite what Mr Gaffney advocates, has been a constructive and positive role in Iraq. You can see the expanding cooperation between Iraq and Iran - in trade and in industry. The Americans have denied the existence of the Islamic regime for the past 20 years. They need to come to terms with Iran's existence otherwise there can be no cooperation."

This raised some eyebrows amongst the Iraqis we had in the studio and so Anu then asked the guests to introduce themselves and a text has just come in:

Lubna from Iraq: "If every Iraqi felt he would get his rights fully in a united Iraq away from regional and occupation effects, nothing would go bad."

Frank: "If the Iraqi people and their government wish to be in negotiations with two terrorist nations then they will do it. Both of these countries are _already_ involved. Not in the cooperative way but in a very subversive way trying to crater the experiment in democracy in Iraq. Having thse countries involved is like a protection racket."

We just lost our line to Washington DC but don't worry ... the Beeb's top techies are onto it!

Haider: "After the invasion Bush mentioned the axis of evil - this was an invitation for these countries to get involved negatively in Iraq. "

Samir, originally from Baghdad had a Q for Professor Zibakalam: "Why is Iranian intelligence interfering?"

Professor Zibakalam: "Tthe regime in Iran recognises the government in Iraq as legitimate. Iran is helping, supporting and assisting."

Samir: "How are they supporting? Can you explain? The only winner if Iraq splits is Iran."

Soran had a Q for Imad and Sadiq: "I find Iran and Syria major stakeholders in Iraq. But I don't think either are for a democratic government. It won't be in the interests of Iranians and Syrians."

Professor Zibakalam: "Why shouldn't Iran welcome a democratic gov in Iraq..?"

Soran: "There's a record that the world knows. Iran is an oppressive system. Syria is the same. There are 200,000 Kurds in Syria with no status. In Iran people are hanged on a daily basis. I can't find a good role for either of you. I'm thinking and thinking but I cannot find a role for you."

Saeed phoned in from Michigan said: "If you take a historical perspective over the past 85 years there has been too much influence from outside powers. I think that the morality needs to be taken out of the equation. The US cannot select who Iraq's neighbours should be. Syria and Iran absolutely need to be in on it."

Kate phoned in from Germany: "It's a bit rich for the US to ask them for help."

Anu politely pointed out to Kate that no help had yet been requested - we are discussing a leaked document after all.

Sadiq: "Iran and Syria are part of Iraq and part of the region. We cannot dismiss them."

Haider: "I don't trust Syria and Iran at the moment because they see a great danger coming to them."

It's the second half and we've got Washington back up. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ techies roooool!

Abdul in Glasgow said: "As far as Syria is concerned I back it to the hilt. As for Iran, America has let these killers in."

Frank: "I agree with some of the things he said. I agree with what he said about Iran. His sympathies for Syria and its role are far-fetched as his views on Americans raping women."

Text just in from Malaysia:
"Hezbollah is still supported by Syria and Iran. Do they forsake terrorism and openly declare so?"

Soran, a Kurd, was in our London studio: "We need decentralisation of Iraq."

There then followed a debate about Iraq's partitioning (which we covered last night) and was so heated that I couldn't keep up.

Mr Moustapha, Syrian ambassador: "I personally attended a meeting betwen Iraqi and Syrian officials with Zebari (Iraqi foreign PM) and others. They all said they wanted a constructive Syrian role in Iraq. All Iraqi leaders want a role for Syria in Iraq. Rumsfeld may not like it but this is the reality. We have a vey high stake in preserving the territorial integrity of Iraq. It is our national interest at stake; we want to see an end to this bloodshed and destruction. If Iraq wants us to help then we'll be happy to help."

Soran was sceptical: "Your record on human rights . . . I want a clear answer: how can you help Iraqis? So far I have seen only a destructive influence?"

Ambassador Moustapha: "The accusations are ridiculous. I'm trying to be as clear as possible. We have always opposed the US occupation of Iraq. The only way out is for Iraqis to regain control of their country. We have strong relations with many Iraqi factions including the Kurds and we will continue to do this. We believe the policy of divide and rule is causing Iraq terrible damage. We believe any infiltrator trying to cross the border is a terrorist trying to kill Iraqis. However, the reistance is an honourable resistance. "

Fank: "There is abundant evidence that Syria has for years sought to exercise influence over countries like Lebanon. What we're hearing from the ambassador is with great respect not true. What Syria is doing today is playing a role in Iraq. It is a destructive role. It's like the Mafia, it's a protection racket: you play by our rules or we'll make things vey unpleasant for you."

An e-Mail just in from Phil:
Is it not possible that the dissolution of Iraq is, in fact, a desired outcome for the US foreign policy team?

. . . and another from Tom in Canada . . . the lines are glowing hot!
We all know why the USA went to iraq - for their own interest. Why shouldn't Iran and Syria?

Frank: "The US is spending billions of dollars a week and lives in trying to help the Iraqis achieve something that none of their neighbours have achieved. Which is a country which enables its people to have a say in its government."

Someone in the studio then said with disarming honesty: "But Frank - you've done a mess there...why?"

Frank is trying to answer but there some loud voices coming in at once. It's getting pretty heated and I'm finding it hard to decipher individual voices but it sure is interesting. . . . think I'll take a 10-second oil break...

Professor Zibakalam: "If Iran and Syria are supposed to cooperate with the US in Iraq - which I think is feasible - there must be a radical change in the attitude of the Washington leaders to Iran and Syria."

The mails are stil flying in :

Jacques from Boston
"No one is asking to have Syria and Iran go solve the problem in Iraq. Iran and Syria should be asked to be partners with the Iraqi people and the US government bring democracy to Iraq. As partners, and in close collaboration with the so-called coalition, peace and stability would be established in 1 month. Only a burglar knows how to fend off a burglary. The banks always employ bank frauds to prevent future bank frauds."

Bilal was on the phone: "Iraq has become a power struggle for our not very helpful neighbours."

Frank Iran and Syria are joined at the jhip in support of terror and WMD. They support the defeat of the US and the freedom it is trying to bring to Iraq. I agree with the professor: we're going to have to ignore the fact that they are enemies of America and basically acede to the fact that they are going to become greater enemies."

Final word of a storming night went to His Excellency Ambassador Moustapha: "We do not want to play any role that is not wanted by the Iraqis themselves. We have cultural relations with Iraq. Almost all the Christians of Iraq live today in Syria. The neo-cons are in a state of denial."

Well I enjoyed that even if it got a little busy at times.

I wonder if Ambassador Moustapha and Frank Gaffney shared a cab home together?? Goodnight from all at WHYS!

Some late text messages from Africa still coming in:

From Tanzania
"The USA should change their policy and involve Syria and Iran for the sake of stopping the bloodbath."

Shuwary, Freetown
"America needs Iran in order for peace to return to Iraq. It is wise to keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Mohamed in Sierra Leone
"President Bush said Iran is an axis of evil - how can they help?"

Frank in Uganda
"Honestly speaking i think Saddam Hussein's security apparatus can do the job.They did it for years and the body count was far less."