Truemors
US career diplomat and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns, is to meet Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Saeed Jalili in Geneva on 19 July 2008. As a member of the P5+1 group led the the European Union, US is expected to meet the Iranian representative. this would be the first time a US diplomat attends is Iran's nuclear talks. However, it is not the first time representatives of both countries have met. Apart from notorious Contra gate talks, there have been less public meetings over different minor issued. This Geneva meeting should not come as a surprise for those readings recent remarks made by Iran over the openness to US contacts. Furthermore, US and Iran have somehow agreed on common concerns over security in Iraq. It is only the Israeli concerns over the nuclear issue that set them apart the most. Iran and US broke diplomatic relations after American Embassy crisis during the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
US to attend Iran's nuclear talks
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:29:52
A top US official will join envoys from other world powers to discuss Iran's nuclear program in a meeting with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.
William Burns, the third highest ranking US diplomat will attend talks with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Saeed Jalili, in a meeting in Geneva which is due to be held on 19 July, AP reported.
The US is a member of the P5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) that is spearheading a drive to halt Iran's nuclear program.
A senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity has acknowledged a shift in the US administration's approach on Iran but maintained that Burns will not hold separate talks with Jalili and would not negotiate with him directly.
It is the first time that a US official is going to attend Iran's nuclear talks.
“This is a one-time event and he will be there to listen, not to negotiate,'' the official said.
The senior US official said Burns would be at the meeting with Jalili to demonstrate the unity among the P5+1 member states which have presented Iran an incentive package.
Burns will also “reiterate that our terms for negotiations remain the same: Iran must suspend its enrichment and reprocessing activities,'' the official noted.
MGH/PA
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