U.S., Iran resume public talks for first time in 28 years
Monday, May 28, 2007
The Associated Press
Iran and the United States resumed public diplomacy Monday for the first time in more than a quarter century.
The meeting, in Baghdad between ambassadors, on security in Iraq could produce a chapter in world history for its success or a footnote for its failure.
U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker represented Washington. Iranian Ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi spoke for Iran at the talks, which were held at Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office in the Green Zone compound in Baghdad.
Just before 10:30 a.m., al-Maliki greeted the two ambassadors, who shook hands, and led them into a conference room, where the ambassadors sat across the table from each other. Al-Maliki then made a brief statement and left the room.
He told both sides that Iraqis want a stable country free of foreign forces and regional interference. The country should not be turned into a base for terrorist groups, he said. He also said that the U.S.-led forces in Iraq were only here to help build up the army and police and the country would not be used as a launching ground for a U.S. attack on a neighbour, a clear reference to Iran.
'Enhance the bridges of trust'
"We are sure that securing progress in this meeting would, without doubt, enhance the bridges of trust between the two countries and create a positive atmosphere" that would help them deal with other issues, he said.
Speaking in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Monday the talks could lead to future meetings, but only if Washington acknowledges that its Middle East policy has not been successful.
"We are hopeful that Washington's realistic approach to the current issues of Iraq by confessing its failed policy in Iraq and the region and by showing a determination to changing the policy guarantees success of the talks and possible further talks," Mottaki said.
Talks focus on Iraq
Monday's talks were to have a pinpoint focus: What Washington and Tehran — separately or together — could do to contain the sectarian conflagration in Iraq.
Washington wants Tehran to stop arming, financing and training militants, particularly Shia militias that are fighting American and Iraqi troops. Tehran wants Washington out of Iraq, period.
But much more encumbers the narrow agenda, primarily Iran's nuclear program and more than a quarter-century of diplomatic estrangement after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.
Further, the Iranian Shia theocracy fears the Bush administration harbours plans for regime change in Tehran and could act on those desires as it did against Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
Iraq hopes to play mediator role
Washington and its Sunni Arab allies, on their side, are deeply unnerved by growing Iranian influence in the Middle East and the spread of increasingly radical Islam.
Compounding all that is Iran's open hostility to Israel.
A political aide to al-Maliki told the Associated Press that Iraq hoped to play a mediator's role in easing tensions between the Americans and Iranians, which Iraqi officials have routinely said are being played out in Iraq.
Many small issues could cloud the talks before they begin. There were U.S. Navy exercises in the Persian Gulf last week and tough talk from President Bush about new UN penalties against Tehran over its nuclear program. The United States says Tehran is trying to build a bomb, while Iran says it needs nuclear technology for energy production.
The Associated Press
Iran and the United States resumed public diplomacy Monday for the first time in more than a quarter century.
The meeting, in Baghdad between ambassadors, on security in Iraq could produce a chapter in world history for its success or a footnote for its failure.
U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker represented Washington. Iranian Ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi spoke for Iran at the talks, which were held at Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office in the Green Zone compound in Baghdad.
Just before 10:30 a.m., al-Maliki greeted the two ambassadors, who shook hands, and led them into a conference room, where the ambassadors sat across the table from each other. Al-Maliki then made a brief statement and left the room.
He told both sides that Iraqis want a stable country free of foreign forces and regional interference. The country should not be turned into a base for terrorist groups, he said. He also said that the U.S.-led forces in Iraq were only here to help build up the army and police and the country would not be used as a launching ground for a U.S. attack on a neighbour, a clear reference to Iran.
'Enhance the bridges of trust'
"We are sure that securing progress in this meeting would, without doubt, enhance the bridges of trust between the two countries and create a positive atmosphere" that would help them deal with other issues, he said.
Speaking in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Monday the talks could lead to future meetings, but only if Washington acknowledges that its Middle East policy has not been successful.
"We are hopeful that Washington's realistic approach to the current issues of Iraq by confessing its failed policy in Iraq and the region and by showing a determination to changing the policy guarantees success of the talks and possible further talks," Mottaki said.
Talks focus on Iraq
Monday's talks were to have a pinpoint focus: What Washington and Tehran — separately or together — could do to contain the sectarian conflagration in Iraq.
Washington wants Tehran to stop arming, financing and training militants, particularly Shia militias that are fighting American and Iraqi troops. Tehran wants Washington out of Iraq, period.
But much more encumbers the narrow agenda, primarily Iran's nuclear program and more than a quarter-century of diplomatic estrangement after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.
Further, the Iranian Shia theocracy fears the Bush administration harbours plans for regime change in Tehran and could act on those desires as it did against Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
Iraq hopes to play mediator role
Washington and its Sunni Arab allies, on their side, are deeply unnerved by growing Iranian influence in the Middle East and the spread of increasingly radical Islam.
Compounding all that is Iran's open hostility to Israel.
A political aide to al-Maliki told the Associated Press that Iraq hoped to play a mediator's role in easing tensions between the Americans and Iranians, which Iraqi officials have routinely said are being played out in Iraq.
Many small issues could cloud the talks before they begin. There were U.S. Navy exercises in the Persian Gulf last week and tough talk from President Bush about new UN penalties against Tehran over its nuclear program. The United States says Tehran is trying to build a bomb, while Iran says it needs nuclear technology for energy production.
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