LEGISLATOR: ALMATY TALKS NO PRELUDE TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH US
Teheran, 15 Jumadil Awwal 1434/27 March 2013 (MINA) – The recent talks between Iran and the six world powers in Almaty, Kazakhstan, cannot be considered as a prelude to negotiations between Tehran and Washington since the US officials’ deeds don’t match their words, an Iranian MP said.
“What happened in talks with the G5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) cannot be considered as a prelude to talks between Iran and the US, because the behavior and literature used by the US has proved that the White House officials’ words do not match their deeds,” Member of the parliament’s Presiding Board Seyed Sharif Hosseini said on Monday (26/3), according to Fars News Agency report monitored by MINA.
The last round of the talks between Tehran and the six world powers was held in Almaty on February 26-27.
During the talks Iran and the world powers agreed to hold an experts meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 17-18 and then continue their talks at the level of their top negotiators in Almaty on April 5-6.
“The US behavior and action in the region is…aimed at diverting the public opinion. Therefore the US green light for talks with Iran must not be taken seriously,” Hosseini said.
The Iranian lawmaker pointed out that to make talks with Iran possible, the West must remove anti-Iran sanctions, stop bullying policies, and withdraw its military forces from the region.
His remarks came a few days after Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei questioned the US honesty in its offer of talks with Iran, and stressed that talks will be meaningless as long as Washington continues its hostile policy towards Iran.
“Through different ways and messages, the Americans try to negotiate with us on the nuclear issue, but I am not optimistic about these talks,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, addressing Iranian people in Northeastern holy city of Mashhad on Thursday.
“I am not opposed to talks with regard to the nuclear issue, but certain issues must be clarified,” the Leader said.
The Leader pointed to the US claim that they intend to be honest in their talks with Iran, and noted, “We have repeatedly asserted that we do not seek nuclear weapons but you do not believe this honest word; why should we accept your word?”
“Negotiation is an American tactic for deceiving the public opinion and if it is otherwise the Americans should prove it,” the Leader stated.
He pointed to the talks between Iran and the Group 5+1, and said that Washington does not want the talks to come to a conclusion.
“With regard to the nuclear issue, Iran only wants the recognition of its rights to enrichment.”(T/P09/P03)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
