Neighbours blame Saddam for 1980-88 war

Iraq and Iran have issued a joint statement blaming Saddam Hussein and his henchmen for being the military aggressors in the 1980-88 war between both countries and Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

The statement, issued today during Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi's historic trip to Iraq, comes as the Shiite Muslim-dominated governments of both countries try to forge better ties following Saddam's removal from power two years ago.