Posted on 12/08/2006 9:21:40 PM PST by nuconvert
Annan urges inclusion of Iran in talks
By SARAH DiLORENZO, Associated Press Writer
Fri Dec 8, 2006
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Friday that Iran has a vested interest in a peaceful Iraq and should be part of discussions to resolve the conflict there.
Speaking to Human Rights Watch, Annan said all of Iraq's neighbors, but especially Iran, have a role to play and praised Iran's past cooperation in discussions on Afghanistan.
"If one were able to work with them in Afghanistan, why don't we try in Iraq, where they even have perhaps bigger influence?" the U.N. chief asked, noting Iran fulfilled all the promises it made during the Afghan discussions.
Annan said that although relations between Iran and the U.S. were chilly during the discussions on Afghanistan, the two "found a way of talking to each other, of going into a corner."
President Bush has resisted suggestions that his administration enter into dialogue with Iran about Iraq. The bipartisan Iraq Study Group proposed a regional conference, including Iran and Syria, in its report issued this week.
Top Shiite and Kurdish leaders oppose such a conference. But Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said this week that he would send envoys to discuss such a gathering and might agree to one if it were held in Iraq.
The Bush administration has repeatedly refused to speak directly with Iran unless it suspends uranium enrichment, which the U.S. believes is aimed at making nuclear weapons. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful.
The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, was authorized earlier this year to talk to the Iranians but only about Iraq. Iran refused.
Many, including former President Bill Clinton, have said that Iran, because of its Shiite majority and its interest in stemming the flow of Iraqi refugees across its border, can play a vital role.
"Whatever they say, whatever they do, a peaceful Iraq on their border is in (Iran's) best interest," Annan said.
There have been suggestions that Annan might serve as a broker for such a conference after his term as secretary-general ends Dec. 31. When a reporter brought it up on Friday, the U.N. chief said, to laughter from the audience, "I have plans."
On other topics, Annan said the U.N. had often failed to protect human rights, citing in particular its inability to deal with violence in Darfur.
In a clear reference to that conflict, Annan stressed that "respect for national sovereignty can no longer be used as an excuse for inaction in the face of genocide" and other atrocities. The secretary-general said he feared the pledge to "never again" remain silent about genocide was "ringing hollow."
The Security Council has insisted that U.N. peacekeepers sent to Darfur must have the consent of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
That puke and the other 160 countries not involved in Iraq can't even handle Darfur.
Annan is the Jimmy Carter of UN Secretary generals.
Iran knows this, Kofi. All will be peaceful in Iraq when it becomes part of the new Persian Empire; the Islamic caliphate.
Kofi is a cancer of the face of the earth.
of=on
Yes, Kofi, we know your check from Iran will be in the mail ---- maggot.
"When the enemies realized that economic sanctions and political pressure would not work on the Iranian nation, ..."
Have fun with your continued UN negotiations !
Dear Neville Chamberlain,
Your legacy lives on.
It never fails to amaze me how the UN kicks us in the teeth daily, yet every time we want to do something in the world, we go back to the UN. I also wonder why I never hear one Republican congressman ever say that we should get out of the UN and the UN should get out of here. Put the building in Sweden, Chad, Mali, or someplace else but the US. Without our support, the UN will lapse into insignificance.
Just leave already, Kofi.
Annan is a moron , not very intelligent , a thief , a fraud and of no importance to anyone.When if he going to jail for Oil for Food by the way ?
And a very good stategy that would be. Let some other countries deal with the U.N. That makes me smile.
vested interest in Iraq? yes, they have a significant investment in men and equipment, longing for oil, people and real estate. More capital for the jihad!
somebody needs to poke the epicenter of terrorism in the eye!
He is "Famous Anus"..
A POX on all their asses..
Semper Fi
this a-hole proves once again why the...
un out of the us and us out of the un.....is what politicians with any spine should be professing....but of course with the lib/dems set to take over, they believe that a one world way...is the best way!!!!!!
the lib/dem slogan should be the same as the un slogan is now...screw america first!!!
"It has become no better that a Nigerian scam,..."
"Annan is reportedly seeking yearly payments in excess of $250,000 for life and intends to file a claim for an additional $1 million for back payments related to earlier duties at the U.N. when he served as assistant secretary-general and, later, as under secretary-general. The latest $1 million request is in addition to the $1 million lump sum Annan already received on that same pension."
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/12/3/200324.shtml?s=lh
Everybody knows that Iran is just DESPERATE for a peaceful and stable iraq on its doorstep.
If "regional conference" was code for "acquainting Teheran and Damascus with the histories of fellow-Asian cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki", then they might have hit on a way we could actually WIN the Iraq war. But I won't hold my breath.
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