Iran calls nuclear talks positive
Saturday, 19 July 2008
ANKARA, Jul 18 (AP): Iran's Foreign Minister said Friday that forthcoming nuclear talks in Geneva and the participation of a US diplomat for the first time look positive and he expects progress.
US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns was expected to attend the talks in Geneva Saturday - the first time the US has had such a presence - and join colleagues from other world powers to meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.
"The new negotiation process (and) the participation of a US diplomat look positive from the outset, but we hope that is reflected in the talks," Mottaki told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.
He said the presence of US representative "is a new positive approach."
Meanwhile, Burns met Friday for about 20 minutes with International Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed Elbaradei to discuss Iran's contentious atompic program. He did not speak to reporters before leaving.
The US has shifted from its confrontational policy of isolating Iran in favor of a diplomatic approach.
The US administration is also floating a proposal to open a de facto US Embassy in Tehran.
US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns was expected to attend the talks in Geneva Saturday - the first time the US has had such a presence - and join colleagues from other world powers to meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.
"The new negotiation process (and) the participation of a US diplomat look positive from the outset, but we hope that is reflected in the talks," Mottaki told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.
He said the presence of US representative "is a new positive approach."
Meanwhile, Burns met Friday for about 20 minutes with International Atomic Energy Agency head Mohamed Elbaradei to discuss Iran's contentious atompic program. He did not speak to reporters before leaving.
The US has shifted from its confrontational policy of isolating Iran in favor of a diplomatic approach.
The US administration is also floating a proposal to open a de facto US Embassy in Tehran.