Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Mottaki says Iran-US talks on Iraq to be held on May 28

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, May 17, IRNA
Pakistan-Mottaki
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Thursday that ambassadors of Iran and the United States will have direct talks on Iraq security on May 28.

He told a press conference that it will be first ever direct talks at ambassadorial level between Iran and the US after a long period since 1979.

The talks will be held in Baghdad on May 28, which will focus on helping restore peace and stability in Iraq.

"The negotiations to be held in Baghdad will strictly focus on helping restore peace and stability in Iraq and no other issue such as Iran's nuclear program will be discussed during the sessions", he said.

Mottaki said the United States has failed in its policies in Iraq due to its negative approach and armed resistance by various groups as they are strongly against the foreign occupation of their homeland.

To a question about a proposal presented by President Pervez Musharraf on deployment of Muslim Peacekeeping Force in Iraq after developing a consensus among all stakeholders, he said, any initiative that aims at easing tension and bringing peace to Iraq will be welcomed.

"Some countries in the UN Security Council are trying to impose their own will that can cause damage to the efforts aiming at establishing peace and stability in the world," he said.

The Iranian foreign minister said Iran is ready to remove any concern over its nuclear program but the international community must accept its right for peaceful nuclear technology.

He said no report of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carries a single word showing any diversion on the part of Iran from its commitment to peaceful nuclear program.

Mottaki said during the ICFM meet ended on Thursday in Islamabad some countries had considerations over amendment of Charter of OIC, so it will be further discussed in the next conference.

He said ICFM meet was successful and all the issues ranging from Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan and Lebanon have been thoroughly discussed by the OIC member states.

Referring to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, he said the "Friendship pipeline" will help promote peace and boost the economic growth in the region.

He said Pakistan and Iran have cordial bilateral relations and both countries are convinced to further boost these ties in every sphere of life.

The Iranian Foreign Minister said that Tehran-Islamabad Joint Economic Commission has been exploring ways and means to increase the trade volume from $400 million to $ one billion this year.

Mottaki said the leadership of both the countries are determined to develop comprehensive cooperation especially in trade, culture and political fields.

He said Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared 2007 as a year of national unity and Islamic solidarity in the Muslim World.