Rafsanjani: Iran accepts US call for talks on Iraq
Iraq-Iran-USA, Politics, 4/18/2006

Iran's Expediency Council (EC) Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani today said that Iran has accepted the US call for talks on Iraq, adding that it has not yet started.

Speaking to the Kuwaiti news media and foreign reporters in that country at the end of his visit to Kuwait, he said that since the occupation of Afghanistan, talks between Iran and the US have been limited to the ambassadorial-level.

He added given that such discussions have been useful and have averted many disasters, they still continue.

Turning to Iraq, he said that once Iraq was occupied, Iran conferred with the US twice. But the talks did not continue, he added.

"If such talks prove fruitful, the two sides will be encouraged to discuss the remaining issues on which they disagree.

"According to our policy, the US should withdraw its armed forces from the region and a number of regional states also approve of such withdrawal. This is while the US is seeking pretexts to maintain troops in the region." In response to a question on whether Iran will continue its nuclear program despite the military option and whether the country is prepared for a confrontation, he asked, "Why should Iran discontinue its nuclear activities?." "The reluctance of colonialist countries to permit Iran's access to nuclear technology can be imagined. However, as a positive move, they should support Iran and other states to this end.

"We wish to avoid any confrontation. But if it is imposed on us, we are prepared to face it," he declared.

Rafsanjani said that Iran is determined to generate 20,000 MW of electricity from nuclear power plants, adding that the required fuel will be supplied through enrichment and from domestic mines.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi today said that Iran decided to hold talks with the United States on Iraq though there has been negative view in this respect. Tehran agreed to hold talks with Washington on Iraq upon a request from the head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.

Asefi said, "Talks will be held just on the agenda of establishment of security in Iraq and withdrawal of occupiers from the country. "The negotiations will be too limited and should not be overestimated .. Nothing has been fixed and confirmed about talks yet."

Previous Stories:
  Iranian official: US should recognize Iraq's political determination   (4/17/2006)
  Iraqi interim government reviews upcoming Iran-US talks   (4/6/2006)
  Khalilzad: Iran finances, trains Shiite militias   (3/28/2006)

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