Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's office said on Thursday the Algiers Treaty was "valid and not void," after telling journalists on Monday it had been "voided by the current government."
The treaty was signed in 1975 by Saddam Hussein, Iraq's then vice president, and Iran's former Shah and defined the border between the two neighbors.
Talabani's earlier remarks threatened to reopen a border dispute that caused the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.
But Talabani's latest comments were welcomed by Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
I earlier wondered if Iraqi acceptance of this agreement was granted at the price of Iran calling off their dogs and therefore in effect admitting defeat in Iraq. Are the Iraqis just trying to remind the Iranians to keep their bargain?
