Iraq-Iran-Government

Iran to talk with US in line with assisting Iraq Tehran, March 17, IRNA Mottaki-US-Iraq Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here on Friday that Iran is ready to hold direct negotiations with the United States in line with its humanitarian contributions to Iraq and to assist the government-building process there.

Speaking as the pre-sermon speaker at Tehran Friday Prayers on last Friday of the Iranian year 1384 (ending on March 20th), Mottaki said, "Some political circles and US government spokesmen have begun a round of opportunist strategies in that respect, while the Islamic Republic of Iran's stands are crystal clear."

He added, "The only existing contradiction is to be sought in US conduct in Iraq."

Referring to the looming insecurity prevailing in Iraq today, Mottaki said, "Despite having suffered grave losses during Saddam's eight-year imposed war, Iran has always supported the territorial integrity of Iraq and national solidarity of the Iraqi nation during the past couple of years."

The Iranian top diplomat added, "Iran has also always been assisting the process of democratic reforms in Iraq and been asking for the full exit of the occupiers, all of which have roots in the nobility of the Iranian nation, and would be marked as the glorious conduct of the Iranian government eternally."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs said, "We have never had a sectarian approach towards Iraq and have permanently been insisting on the need for cooperation among all tribes and sects there, and even sponsored two international conferences in line with those objectives."

He emphasized, "Iraq is confronted with a challenge today since despite the announcement of the results of the elections and the establishment of the parliament still no government has taken shape there, because those that interpret the developments in Iraq waywardly have not achieved their pre-defined objectives."

Mottaki referred to the prevailing terrorist moves and the continuation of occupation of Iraq as two major challenges with which Iraq is faced today, arguing, "Iran supports the time schedules for the evacuation of occupiers and the phased plans for establishment of democracy in Iraq."

The Iranian Foreign Minister drew conclusion, "Therefore, we accept Ayatollah Hakim's recent proposal for holding talks with the United States on Iraq, keeping in mind the particular conditions in that country today, and are ready to hold talks with Washington on issues related to Iraq.