Ahmadi-Nejad's visit to Iraq, no US talks yet
Iraq-Iran, Politics, 2/19/2008

A senior Iranian parliamentarian on Tuesday termed the upcoming visit to Iraq of President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad as "important."

Rapporteur of Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Kazem Jalali, added that the visit would be "a turning point in Tehran-Baghdad bilateral relations." Iran has always stood by the Iraqi nation and has called for establishment of peace, security, stability and tranquility of the Iraqis, Jalali told reporters.

"The Islamic Republic considers peace and stability in Iraq in line with its security and national interests," he added. Underlining the need for acceleration of Iraq's reconstruction process, he urged the regional states to pave the way for development of the neighboring Iraq through their unity and solidarity. "The Islamic Republic has proved that it is interested in territorial integrity and development of Iraq and that it supports administration of the country's affairs by the Iraqi people," the MP reiterated.

On fourth round of Iran-US talks on Iraq, he said the date of the talks has not been determined yet. Tehran has repeatedly announced its readiness for holding constructive and objective oriented talks on Iraq, he said. He predicted that the fourth round of talks will probably be held at ambassador level.

The Iranian and US officials have so far held three rounds of talks on Iraqi situation on May 28, July 24 and August 6, 2007 respectively. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said on Sunday that President Ahmadi-Nejad's visit would take place in next Iranian month of Esfand (February 20-March 19). "The Iranian and Iraqi teams are working in preparation for the visit," Hosseini said. He added, the exact date of President Ahmadi-Nejad's visit would be announced later.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini said on Sunday that no direct talks took place between Iranian and US officials in Paris.

The fourth round of Iran-US talks on Iraq was postponed due to "technical reasons," He said.

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