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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| US attends historic Iran meeting | US attends historic Iran meeting |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A senior United States official is taking part for the first time in international talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme. | 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. |
| Their talks with top Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili were expected to focus on incentives for Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment. | Their talks with top Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili were expected to focus on incentives for Tehran 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 has been extremely limited, though last year they met at ambassadorial level to discuss security in Iraq. | |
| 'Freeze for freeze' | 'Freeze for freeze' |
| In addition to the US and Iranian envoys, the talks in Geneva's city hall are being attended by representatives from Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia. | |
| We've been very clear that any country can change course Condoleezza RiceUS Secretary of State US and Iran eye diplomatic openingSend us your comments | We've been very clear that any country can change course Condoleezza RiceUS Secretary of State US and Iran eye diplomatic openingSend us your comments |
| The aim is to find out how Iran will respond to an offer of economic incentives for Tehran to suspend its nuclear activities. | The aim is to find out how Iran will respond to an offer of economic incentives for Tehran to suspend its nuclear activities. |
| Iran says its nuclear programme is designed to meet its energy needs, and it is defying UN Security Council demands to halt uranium enrichment. | Iran says its nuclear programme is designed to meet its energy needs, and it is defying UN Security Council demands to halt uranium enrichment. |
| As the talks began in Geneva, senior Iranian official Keyvan Imani restated his country's position that a suspension was "out of the question". | As the talks began in Geneva, senior Iranian official Keyvan Imani restated his country's position that a suspension was "out of the question". |
| However the BBC's Bethany Bell in Geneva says the Iranians might be considering whether to stop increasing their enrichment. | However the BBC's Bethany Bell in Geneva says the Iranians might be considering whether to stop increasing their enrichment. |
| Diplomats are pushing for a so-called "freeze-for-freeze" formula, under which a freeze or Iran's programme at its current levels would be matched by a Western pledge not to strengthen sanctions on Tehran. | Diplomats are pushing for a so-called "freeze-for-freeze" formula, under which a freeze or Iran's programme at its current levels would be matched by a Western pledge not to strengthen sanctions on Tehran. |
| Ahead of the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki described them as "positive and constructive", and said he hoped a framework for future negotiations could follow. | Ahead of the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki described them as "positive and constructive", and said he hoped a framework for future negotiations could follow. |
| Pragmatism | Pragmatism |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| 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. |
| 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. |