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US attends historic Iran meeting | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A senior United States official is taking part for the first time in international talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme. | |
The official, William Burns, is joining envoys from the EU and permanent members of the UN security council. | The official, William Burns, is joining envoys from the EU and permanent members of the UN security council. |
They are expected to discuss with the country's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, incentives for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. | They are expected to discuss with the country's top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, incentives for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. |
Mr Burns' attendance is being seen as a major shift in US policy. | Mr Burns' attendance is being seen as a major shift in US policy. |
The US and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the taking of hostages at the US embassy in Tehran. | The US and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the taking of hostages at the US embassy in Tehran. |
Formal contact between the two countries have been extremely limited, though last year they met at ambassadorial level to discuss security in Iraq. | Formal contact between the two countries have been extremely limited, though last year they met at ambassadorial level to discuss security in Iraq. |
Conciliatory move | Conciliatory move |
Since 2002, when President George W Bush famously named Iran as one of the countries that formed the "axis of evil", his administration had insisted that no face-to-face talks would be held unless Iran suspended the enrichment of uranium, which it says could be used to produce nuclear weapons. | Since 2002, when President George W Bush famously named Iran as one of the countries that formed the "axis of evil", his administration had insisted that no face-to-face talks would be held unless Iran suspended the enrichment of uranium, which it says could be used to produce nuclear weapons. |
We've been very clear that any country can change course Condoleezza RiceUS Secretary of State US and Iran eye diplomatic opening class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5131&edition=1">Send us your comments | |
Iran says its nuclear activities are only for civilian purposes. | Iran says its nuclear activities are only for civilian purposes. |
US officials say Mr Burns' presence will be a "one-time event" and that he is in Geneva not to negotiate but to listen. | US officials say Mr Burns' presence will be a "one-time event" and that he is in Geneva not to negotiate but to listen. |
With just six months left of his presidency, analysts say Mr Bush is taking a more pragmatic approach. | With just six months left of his presidency, analysts say Mr Bush is taking a more pragmatic approach. |
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice seemed to sum up the new conciliatory mood in a speech on Friday. | Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice seemed to sum up the new conciliatory mood in a speech on Friday. |
She reiterated that Iran was "a difficult and dangerous state" before adding: "We have been very clear that any country can change course." | She reiterated that Iran was "a difficult and dangerous state" before adding: "We have been very clear that any country can change course." |
Ahead of the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki described them as "positive and constructive". | Ahead of the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki described them as "positive and constructive". |
"Today's meeting might continue with several others so that the view points of all sides can be put on the table," he said. | "Today's meeting might continue with several others so that the view points of all sides can be put on the table," he said. |
Rising tension | Rising tension |
Saturday's talks will aim to find out how Iran will respond to the West's offer of economic incentives for Tehran to suspend its nuclear activities. | Saturday's talks will aim to find out how Iran will respond to the West's offer of economic incentives for Tehran to suspend its nuclear activities. |
Iran denies any nuclear weapons plans, but is defying UN Security Council demands to halt uranium enrichment. | Iran denies any nuclear weapons plans, but is defying UN Security Council demands to halt uranium enrichment. |
The BBC's Jon Leyne is Tehran says no big announcements are expected in Geneva. | The BBC's Jon Leyne is Tehran says no big announcements are expected in Geneva. |
The most the Iranians are considering agreeing to at the moment is a freeze of their nuclear programme, our correspondent adds. | The most the Iranians are considering agreeing to at the moment is a freeze of their nuclear programme, our correspondent adds. |
The talks come after weeks of rising tensions in the region. | The talks come after weeks of rising tensions in the region. |
The Iranians test-fired missiles last week, and a series of threats and counter-threats between Iran and Israel has been watched nervously in the West. | The Iranians test-fired missiles last week, and a series of threats and counter-threats between Iran and Israel has been watched nervously in the West. |
But the talks appear to have eased some of the tensions. | But the talks appear to have eased some of the tensions. |
Recent reports have suggested the US may even consider opening a diplomatic mission in Tehran - which would be the first such link since the US hostage crisis nearly 30 years ago. | Recent reports have suggested the US may even consider opening a diplomatic mission in Tehran - which would be the first such link since the US hostage crisis nearly 30 years ago. |
Formal contact between the US and Iran is very rare, though the two countries held three rounds of talks in 2007 over security in Iraq. | Formal contact between the US and Iran is very rare, though the two countries held three rounds of talks in 2007 over security in Iraq. |