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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| US and Iran to hold key meeting | US and Iran to hold key meeting |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Iran and the United States are due to hold their first bilateral public talks for almost 30 years. | |
| The security of Iraq is the only item on the agenda. Both sides will be represented by their envoys in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker and Hassan Kazemi Qomi. | |
| The US is expected to present claims that Iran is providing technology and other support to Iraqi militia groups. | The US is expected to present claims that Iran is providing technology and other support to Iraqi militia groups. |
| For its part, Tehran says it has uncovered several spy networks run by the US and its allies inside Iran. | For its part, Tehran says it has uncovered several spy networks run by the US and its allies inside Iran. |
| On Sunday, the Iranian authorities summoned the Swiss ambassador to demand an explanation of the networks, which Iranian TV said were seeking to commit "infiltration and sabotage in western, central and south-western areas of the country". | On Sunday, the Iranian authorities summoned the Swiss ambassador to demand an explanation of the networks, which Iranian TV said were seeking to commit "infiltration and sabotage in western, central and south-western areas of the country". |
| Switzerland represents US interests in Iran. | Switzerland represents US interests in Iran. |
| The White House said it did not confirm or deny allegations about intelligence matters. | The White House said it did not confirm or deny allegations about intelligence matters. |
| "We urge Iran to play a positive role in Iraq... and stop blaming everyone else for problems they are only bringing on themselves," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. | "We urge Iran to play a positive role in Iraq... and stop blaming everyone else for problems they are only bringing on themselves," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. |
| No pre-conditions | No pre-conditions |
| Monday's Iranian-US meeting will be the first formal bilateral meeting since the two countries broke off relations in 1979, following the fall of the Shah. | Monday's Iranian-US meeting will be the first formal bilateral meeting since the two countries broke off relations in 1979, following the fall of the Shah. |
| Ryan Crocker will attend the meeting for the US side | Ryan Crocker will attend the meeting for the US side |
| The US has backed away from the conditions it first set for such a meeting, says the BBC's Paul Reynolds - which included support from Tehran for the government in Baghdad. | The US has backed away from the conditions it first set for such a meeting, says the BBC's Paul Reynolds - which included support from Tehran for the government in Baghdad. |
| Mr Crocker will now press claims that Iran is supporting Shia and Sunni militias attacking US and British forces in Iraq. | Mr Crocker will now press claims that Iran is supporting Shia and Sunni militias attacking US and British forces in Iraq. |
| For its part, Iran will call for a timetable for an American withdrawal from Iraq. | For its part, Iran will call for a timetable for an American withdrawal from Iraq. |
| In a BBC interview, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, described the talks as an important first step to dialogue although he said he did not expect miracles. | In a BBC interview, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshiyar Zebari, described the talks as an important first step to dialogue although he said he did not expect miracles. |
| But the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says that although the talks are symbolically important, there is little chance of any dramatic breakthrough. | But the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says that although the talks are symbolically important, there is little chance of any dramatic breakthrough. |
| Iran's position on the talks has been dictated by the country's ultimate authority - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. | |
| He said the aim of the meeting was to remind the American occupiers of Iraq that they had a legal responsibility to bring security to the country. | He said the aim of the meeting was to remind the American occupiers of Iraq that they had a legal responsibility to bring security to the country. |
| Ayatollah Khamenei says the US government is colonial, bullying, arrogant and expansionist. | Ayatollah Khamenei says the US government is colonial, bullying, arrogant and expansionist. |
| But, our Tehran correspondent says, Iran is more isolated than it has been for years - now under UN as well as US sanctions because of its nuclear ambitions. | But, our Tehran correspondent says, Iran is more isolated than it has been for years - now under UN as well as US sanctions because of its nuclear ambitions. |
| However, the nuclear issue will not be under discussion at these talks. | However, the nuclear issue will not be under discussion at these talks. |
| "Nothing but Iraq is on the agenda," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said 10 days ago, when announcing that this meeting would take place. | "Nothing but Iraq is on the agenda," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said 10 days ago, when announcing that this meeting would take place. |