US Wants Talks with Iran on Iraq

Source: alalam.ir, 11-06-2008
BAGHDAD-The US seeks to jumpstart talks with Iran on Iraq's security conditions to find ample grounds to restore stability to the war-torn country, a US official has said.
David Satterfield, the US State Department's coordinator on Iraq, said: "This channel is one we have not closed and will not close," while there was no plan for the meeting.
"But it is important that we know that such talks are likely to be productive and successful before they are scheduled," he added.

US and Iranian officials met three times last year in discussions arranged by Baghdad, but the talks have since stalled.
The two countries are at loggerheads over Iran's nuclear program and the Iraq talks have been one of the few forums in which they have had direct diplomatic contact.
Iran has said on many occasions that the key to stability in Iraq is withdrawal of foreign forces in the country.
In May, Tehran dismissed any prospect of imminent talks, accusing US forces of a "massacre" of Iraqis.

The US is in talks with Iraqi officials to get them to sign a provocative security agreement which secures long-term US presence in Iraq.
It also gives the occupation forces a free rein to stage military operations wherever and whenever they deems necessary, without consulting the Iraqi government.
Tehran is concerned that the yet-not-concluded security deal could lead to establishment of permanent US bases in the neighboring country, which the US denies it wants.

Satterfield claimed the agreement poses no threat to Tehran and added: "Other states must also respect Iraq's sovereignty and not make Iraq a forum for their conflicts whether with respect to us, the United States, or others."
Satterfield said the US was confident it could meet an end-July target to reach an accord with Iraq that will allow US troops to remain when a UN mandate expires at the end of this year.