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Biden set for first major speech | Biden set for first major speech |
(10 minutes later) | |
US Vice-President Joe Biden is expected to give the first clear indication of the new US government's foreign policy direction in a speech in Germany. | US Vice-President Joe Biden is expected to give the first clear indication of the new US government's foreign policy direction in a speech in Germany. |
Mr Biden will address a security forum in Munich, with Iraq and Afghanistan likely to be high on the agenda. | Mr Biden will address a security forum in Munich, with Iraq and Afghanistan likely to be high on the agenda. |
He will also meet Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, amid cool relations between the two nations. | |
Iranian delegate Ali Larijani welcomed the new US government, saying it was a "golden opportunity" to improve ties. | Iranian delegate Ali Larijani welcomed the new US government, saying it was a "golden opportunity" to improve ties. |
But Mr Larijani, who is Iran's parliamentary speaker, warned it would take more than a change of tone and a few interviews from President Barack Obama's government to mend the fractured relationship between Tehran and Washington. | But Mr Larijani, who is Iran's parliamentary speaker, warned it would take more than a change of tone and a few interviews from President Barack Obama's government to mend the fractured relationship between Tehran and Washington. |
"The old carrot and stick policy must be discarded," he said, referring to Western threats and offers of rewards to coax Iran to give up nuclear activities. | "The old carrot and stick policy must be discarded," he said, referring to Western threats and offers of rewards to coax Iran to give up nuclear activities. |
He said the US needed to change its tactics "to a chess game from a boxing match". | He said the US needed to change its tactics "to a chess game from a boxing match". |
The BBC's defence correspondent, Rob Watson, at the conference, says Mr Larijani's comments are a sign that any efforts at reconciliation with Iran will be difficult and complex. | The BBC's defence correspondent, Rob Watson, at the conference, says Mr Larijani's comments are a sign that any efforts at reconciliation with Iran will be difficult and complex. |
War backing | War backing |
The meeting with Mr Ivanov is also expected to be a challenging one. | The meeting with Mr Ivanov is also expected to be a challenging one. |
Analysts have portrayed Kyrgyzstan's decision this week to close the last remaining US air base in Central Asia as being the work of the Kremlin. | Analysts have portrayed Kyrgyzstan's decision this week to close the last remaining US air base in Central Asia as being the work of the Kremlin. |
And speaking before the conference, Mr Ivanov focused his attention on the controversial plans drawn up by the Bush administration for a missile defence shield in Central Europe. | And speaking before the conference, Mr Ivanov focused his attention on the controversial plans drawn up by the Bush administration for a missile defence shield in Central Europe. |
"President Medvedev from the very start said very clearly and unequivocally that if there are no interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic... there will be no [Russian Iskander missiles] in Kaliningrad," he said. | "President Medvedev from the very start said very clearly and unequivocally that if there are no interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic... there will be no [Russian Iskander missiles] in Kaliningrad," he said. |
Mr Obama has already said he intends to make Afghanistan a priority, and Mr Biden is expected to ask European governments for more help with the war effort. | Mr Obama has already said he intends to make Afghanistan a priority, and Mr Biden is expected to ask European governments for more help with the war effort. |
Among other leaders Mr Biden is set to meet at the Munich conference are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. | Among other leaders Mr Biden is set to meet at the Munich conference are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. |
On Sunday, he will see President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, who received US backing in its brief conflict with Russia last year. | On Sunday, he will see President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, who received US backing in its brief conflict with Russia last year. |