Title: TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ON KHATAMI INTERVIEW ON CNN (Rubin cites need for two governments to talk directly)
Date: 19980108
Text:
Washington -- The State Department
Spokesman said in a written statement on Iran late January 7 that "We listened with interest to President Khatami's interview on CNN."
Spokesman James Rubin said "We welcome the fact that he wants a dialogue with the American people and welcome his appreciation of the fundamental principles that form the foundation of our nation.
"But, we continue to believe that the way to address the issues between us is for our two governments to talk directly," Rubin said.
Following is the State Department text:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release January 7, 1998
STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN
We listened with interest to President Khatami's interview on CNN. We welcome the fact that he wants a dialogue with the American people and welcome his appreciation of the fundamental principles that form the foundation of our nation.
But, we continue to believe that the way to address the issues between us is for our two governments to talk directly. As for the scope of such an official dialogue, we have always said that we would raise the issues of concern to us in particular, Iran's support for terrorism, its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and its support for violent opposition to the Middle East peace process. At the same time, we would expect Iran to raise issues of concern to it.
Ultimately, real improvement in the relations between our two countries will depend not upon what the Government of Iran says but what it does.
(end text) NNNN
Product Name: WASHINGTON FILE
Document Type: TEXT
Keywords: DOSTXT RUBIN; IRAN; KHATAMI; 01 bd
Thematic Codes: 01
Languages: ENGLISH
Originating Team: 98010801.TXT
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