TEHRAN, January 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The foreign ministers of Iran and
Iraq have examined the issue of remaining POWs in the two 
countries, Iran Daily newspaper reported on Sunday.
   Visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri Ahmad told his 
Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharazi that Baghdad was prepared to 
resolve the issues pending from the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War.
   "Baghdad is keen on increasing exchanges between the two 
countries," he was cited as saying, noting that his country would "
do everything possible" to obliterate the bitter memories of the 
past.
   Meanwhile, director general of Iranian Interior Ministry's 
Bureau of Aliens and Foreign Immigrant Affairs Hosseinalli Ebrahimi
said Saturday that Iran and Iraq have agreed to settle pending 
issues related to both countries' refugees.
   "Iraqi refugees living in Iran can return home voluntarily after
submitting valid document of identity to the Joint Iran-Iraq 
Refugee Commission," he said.
   "Iran, in cooperation with the Iraqi side, has paved the way for
the voluntary return of the Iraqis to their homeland," the official
said.
   Hosseinalli Ebrahimi put the total number of Iraqi refugees in 
Iran at close to 300,000.
   Iran and Iraq waged an eight-year war from 1980 to 1988 that 
left hundreds of thousands dead on each side.  Enditem