Iran - US talks on Iraq can have positive impact on region
Iraq-Iran-USA, Politics, 5/21/2007

Iran's Head of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, said yesterday that Iran's significant decision on holding official talks with US on resolving Iraq's problems would have effective impact on the entire region.

Iran's Minister of Justice Gholam-Hossein Elham said on Sunday that Iran's policy toward Iraq is based on bolstering its central government. Elham made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Justice Minister Khadhir Ja'far al-Khazaie.

"The US and other occupiers should know that they are responsible for guaranteeing security in Iraq, because they are occupiers and they must not ignore their duty as the occupation force," Elham added.

On fomenting sectarian violence between the Shiite and Sunni Muslims, he said that it is conspiracy of the US and Israel in the region.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said yesterday that Iran does not agree with connecting the two cases of Iran's peaceful nuclear program and the Iraqi issue. If others are intended to create a link between the two cases, we reject it, he reiterated.

Asked whether a representative from Syria would also attend the US-Iran talks on Iraq slated for June 28, the spokesman said, "Syria plays no role in the talks but an Iraqi representative will be present at the meeting." Hosseini said Iran's envoy to talks with the US on Iraq has not been determined and finalized yet.

US Ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker has been named to represent the country to the talks.

The spokesman said, "Details of subjects covering the talks between Tehran and Washington have not been determined yet but talks will be held within the frameworks endorsed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. We have nothing to talk with the US. As the Supreme Leader has reiterated, we will hold no talks with Washington until the US administration changes its wrong policies." Hosseini stated, "Iraqi representatives will also attend the negotiations and occupiers will be reminded of their responsibilities on safeguarding security in Iraq and delegating affairs and authority to the Iraqi government." Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Manouchehr Mottaki said on Saturday that "terrorism and occupation are two faces of the same coin." Mottaki made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Tariq al-Hashemi on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the Middle East in Jordan.

Turning to Iran's agreement to hold talks with the US on Iraq security, Mottaki added, "Tehran gives priority to establishing security in Iraq and will spare no effort to materialize the goal." "I am sure that the Iraqi government will find comprehensive way to establish security and stability in the country if it manages security affairs independently and without any foreign interference," he noted.

Hosseini on Saturday rejected claims by certain news sources that Iranian and US ambassadors to Iraq held a meeting. The sources had claimed on Friday that the Iranian and US ambassadors to Iraq attended a meeting hosted by the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. "No meeting was held between ambassadors of Iran and the US in Iraq," Hosseini said.

Meantime, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said "Legal department of the foreign ministry is trying to find a mechanism to receive compensation from the US government." In a meeting with the families of Iranian kidnapped diplomats in Erbil, Iraq, in presence of foreign and domestic reporters, Mottaki said all spiritual and material damage caused by the attack of the US forces to Iran's general consulate in Erbil are being considered.

Mottaki pointed out that his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari quoted the US officials saying the kidnapped Iranian diplomats will be freed late May or early June. Foreign minister said, "In meetings with Iraqi president, prime minister, foreign minister and other senior officials, I have told them clearly that Iraqi government is responsible for releasing Iranian kidnapped diplomats and no excuse is acceptable." Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani had said on Thursday that the US can count on Iranian help to get out of the current stalemate in Iraq if it changes its methodology in dealing with the crisis in the country, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said on Thursday.

Asked to elaborate on the current situation in Iraq, Larijani said that there are three options for the US to get out of the current stalemate in Iraq: One, continuation of the current method which has brought the US administration to the stage of impeachment in the international community.

"This method, diplomatic shuttle on the warship, is not helpful. It is somewhat desperate roaring and is far away from logic. Of course, I do not have objection to diplomatic tours, but, they will get nowhere. There are some countries which cherish the dream of establishing great civilization through unilateral action. Iran cannot help in this case. But, if they change their method in a bid to get out of the current stalemate, they can count on Iranian help."

Previous Stories:
  US - Iran to hold talks on Iraq   (5/15/2007)
  At Sharm el-Sheikh gathering, US and Iran's focus on Iraq   (5/7/2007)
  Iran says Iraq pressure has changed US tone towards it   (5/1/2007)

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