ID :
45295
Thu, 02/12/2009 - 15:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/45295
The shortlink copeid
Mottaki: Talks with US about Iraq no longer needed
Baghdad, Feb 12, IRNA -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said here Wednesday that Tehran, Washington and Baghdad no longer need to hold talks on Iraq in view of the improved security conditions in the country.
?We think conditions in Iraq have changed with the past and we think
the improvement in security conditions is the result of the will of
Iraq's government and the fact that it has assumed its
responsibilities," said Mottaki in a joint press conference with his
Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.
"We believe Iraqi statesmen's prudent management will bring full
security back to Iraq. So, we do no see any reason for holding
tripartite talks on Iraq security."
He added, "We had already told foreign forces in Iraq that if they
leave the country one day sooner it will be to their benefit."
Iran and the US have held three rounds of direct talks since May 2007
on Iraq security issues.
Iran's top diplomat further said change in US foreign policies during
presidency of Barack Obama will be good news.
Mottaki said, "We view positively the slogan that Obama raised in the
elections. The world has really changed. If the American
administration wants to keep up with the changes, this will be good
news?. We think these changes will provide excellent opportunities for
the American administration in its relations with the countries of the
world."
He said, "As diplomats, we are destined to be optimistic, and we wish
this would come true."
Meanwhile, Zerbari, congratulating the Iranian nation on the 30th
anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, thanked Iran for
supporting Iraq in the reconstruction and the process of forming a
government in the post-Saddam era.
On Iran-US-Iraq talks, Zebari said, "We have since the beginning been
encouraging such meetings and we do still do that."
He said that Mottaki will visit Karbala, Suleymaniah and Arbil north
of Iraq, adding that during the visits Iran's consul-generals in the
three cities will be named.
End
?We think conditions in Iraq have changed with the past and we think
the improvement in security conditions is the result of the will of
Iraq's government and the fact that it has assumed its
responsibilities," said Mottaki in a joint press conference with his
Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari.
"We believe Iraqi statesmen's prudent management will bring full
security back to Iraq. So, we do no see any reason for holding
tripartite talks on Iraq security."
He added, "We had already told foreign forces in Iraq that if they
leave the country one day sooner it will be to their benefit."
Iran and the US have held three rounds of direct talks since May 2007
on Iraq security issues.
Iran's top diplomat further said change in US foreign policies during
presidency of Barack Obama will be good news.
Mottaki said, "We view positively the slogan that Obama raised in the
elections. The world has really changed. If the American
administration wants to keep up with the changes, this will be good
news?. We think these changes will provide excellent opportunities for
the American administration in its relations with the countries of the
world."
He said, "As diplomats, we are destined to be optimistic, and we wish
this would come true."
Meanwhile, Zerbari, congratulating the Iranian nation on the 30th
anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, thanked Iran for
supporting Iraq in the reconstruction and the process of forming a
government in the post-Saddam era.
On Iran-US-Iraq talks, Zebari said, "We have since the beginning been
encouraging such meetings and we do still do that."
He said that Mottaki will visit Karbala, Suleymaniah and Arbil north
of Iraq, adding that during the visits Iran's consul-generals in the
three cities will be named.
End
