Iran's Supreme Leader backs US talks
ISN SECURITY WATCH (Wednesday, 22 March: 12.25 CET) – Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sanctioned discussions with the US on Iraq, according to Reuters.
In a televised speech broadcast from northeastern city of Mashhad, Khamenei said, "If Iranian officials can express Iran's opinion about Iraq to Americans and make them understand Iran's views, talks on this issue are not problematic."
"But if [talks] mean opening up an arena for deceitful Americans to continue their bullying attitude, talks with America on Iraq are banned," he said.
The Iranian leader said: "Our clear opinion on Iraq is that the American government should leave Iraq and stop provoking ethnic tensions and creating insecurity so that Iraq has peace and security."
In his speech Khamenei reiterated his country's opposition to, what he termed, the international community's "unjust demand" that Iran restrict development of its nuclear program.
Reuters reports that the US has agreed to the talks, with the US ambassador to Iraq U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, expected to meet Iranian representatives this week.
US President George W. Bush said in a speech on Tuesday that the US will make clear its opposition to alleged Iranian involvement in the stoking of sectarian tensions in Iraq.
Khamenei is the head of the Iranian political system and is the ultimate arbiter of all state business.
In a televised speech broadcast from northeastern city of Mashhad, Khamenei said, "If Iranian officials can express Iran's opinion about Iraq to Americans and make them understand Iran's views, talks on this issue are not problematic."
"But if [talks] mean opening up an arena for deceitful Americans to continue their bullying attitude, talks with America on Iraq are banned," he said.
The Iranian leader said: "Our clear opinion on Iraq is that the American government should leave Iraq and stop provoking ethnic tensions and creating insecurity so that Iraq has peace and security."
In his speech Khamenei reiterated his country's opposition to, what he termed, the international community's "unjust demand" that Iran restrict development of its nuclear program.
Reuters reports that the US has agreed to the talks, with the US ambassador to Iraq U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, expected to meet Iranian representatives this week.
US President George W. Bush said in a speech on Tuesday that the US will make clear its opposition to alleged Iranian involvement in the stoking of sectarian tensions in Iraq.
Khamenei is the head of the Iranian political system and is the ultimate arbiter of all state business.
posted by Marko at 3/22/2006 06:50:00 AM
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