Lugar urges US-Iran talks
Syria-Iran-USA, Politics, 11/27/2006

The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Richard Lugar on Saturday called for direct talks between US, Iran and Syria over the latest developments in the Middle East.

"I am among those who advocates talks between our government, Damascus and Tehran after a certain point," Lugar said in an interview with the Berlin-based Der Tagesspiegel.

The Republican senator from the US state of Indiana added that American President George W. Bush had gradually abandoned his earlier unilateral foreign policies for an increasingly multilateral approach, citing US-European cooperation on the question of Iran as well Washington's support for the six-party talks with North Korea.

Lugar has repeatedly said direct talks between Iran and the US would be "useful."

Iran's president said it is willing to help the US on the condition of the US changes its policy and "bullying", while calling on the US to leave the region, due to what Iran describes as the US damaging role in the region.

Addressing US officials, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad said, "The Iranian nation is prepared to help you put an end to the present situation.

However, such an assistance will be rendered on the condition that you stop bullying and revise your approach." Ahmadi-Nejad noted, "In that case, Iran will be ready to help you out."

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini said yesterday in reply to a question to comment on the rumors that the US intends to stage a coup in Iraq by preparing the grounds for release of Saddam Hussein's former deputy prime minister, Tareq Aziz, and continuous explosions in the country, He said, "Iran has repeatedly called for the US revise its approach, given failure of its policies in the region." "Unfortunately, based on the news available, it is evident that even if some changes are underway in the US policies situation in Iraq is getting deteriorated."

Meantime today, the Department of State spokesman was asked about a Georgia newspaper that says that US Ambassador to Georgia has warned against a long-term contract for natural gas with Iran, to which Sean McCormack replied that he hadn't seen those comments.

Previous Stories:
  Rice: Iran, Syria continue destabilizing behavior   (11/18/2006)
  US calls on Syria, Iran to stop arming Hizbullah   (8/22/2006)
  Syria-Iran: US offensive promotes urgent meeting   (2/21/2006)

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