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Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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| Information | | |
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor
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04Feb13
Iranian FM says to continue talks with Syria opposition, "optimistic" on U.S. shifting approach
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said here Monday that his country would continue to have talks with the Syrian opposition.
Speaking at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin, a foreign policy think-tank, Salehi said, "We are committed to continue this discussion," referring to his meeting with Syrian opposition leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib at the Munich Security Conference.
Salehi also said he was "optimistic" that the new U.S. administration was shifting its approach to Iran.
Referring to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's weekend proposal of bilateral dialogue between the two countries, Salehi believed it was a sign of change of the new U.S. administration's approach to Iran's disputed nuclear program.
"As I have said yesterday, I am optimistic," he said.
"I feel this new administration is really seeking this time to at least divert from its previous traditional approach vis a vis my country," said Salehi.
"It's about time both sides really get into engagement because confrontation certainly is not the way. Confrontation will only exacerbate the situation and the entire region and the international community will be suffering from the consequences," Salehi said.
Salehi said he believes the newly-reshuffled cabinet of U.S. President Barack Obama was inclined to offer compromise, saying the newly-appointed U.S. officials "have taken a balanced view."
Biden on Saturday told diplomats and defense officials during the Munich Security Conference that the U.S. offer for bilateral talks with Iran on its nuclear program was still valid.
Iran and the West are locked in a bitter dispute over the former's nuclear ambitions. The West accuses Tehran of developing nuclear weapon under the cover of peaceful nuclear program, a charge Iran has consistently denied.
Six major countries - the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - would hold new talks with Iran on its disputed nuclear program in Kazakhstan on Feb. 25 after an eight-month break, Salehi said on Sunday during the Munich Security Conference.
[Source: Xinhua, Berlin, 04Feb13]
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