Iran: Leader Rejects US Rapprochement

Alalam.ir.com: TEHRAN, May 17--Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has ruled out any rapprochement between Iran and the US.Addressing a group of Islamic scholars in the northeastern city of Mashhad, the leader also rebuked "certain domestic circles" who are celebrating over the idea of negotiations with Washington.

The leader gave his backing to planned talks with the US on Iraq, but said the negotiations are aimed at reminding Washington of its failed duties in the war-torn country."Given that America, as an occupying government, does not fulfill its responsibilities regarding the establishment of security in Iraq…the foreign ministry decided upon the Iraqi government's request to remind the Americans of their responsibilities in a face-to-face dialogue".Ayatollah Khamenei said Washington had asked for negotiations in writing, lashing out at US officials over saying that the talks would be limited to the Iraq issue."

The Americans are saying there will be no negotiation beyond the Iraq issue but we are telling them that 'even the Iraq issue has nothing to do with you' and the dialogue is only about the occupiers' responsibilities regarding the security of Iraq."Ayatollah Khamenei said the US has tied the hands of the Iraqi government in its bid to restore security in Iraq and is trying to topple the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki while supporting terrorist groups.

The leader also castigated some voices inside Iran who have been gloating over the idea of talks between Tehran and Washington."Those, who think the Islamic Republic of Iran will change its firm, logical and totally defensible policy of rejecting negotiations with America, are blatantly mistaken."How can one have dialogue with an arrogant, bullying, expansionist and imperial American government, especially with its current brazen, ill-mannered and boastful statesmen?"Ayatollah Khamenei said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran's policy of not negotiating with America will remain unchanged as long as this arrogant government's policies do not change."

A key lawmaker also poured cold water on the idea of forming an Iranian-US friendship committee in parliament to hold contacts with the US Congress. The rebuttal came only a day after some deputies were said to have been gathering signatures to find a way to bridge nearly three decades of estrangement between the US and Iran.

But MP Kazem Jalali, rapporteur of parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, put the kibosh on the idea, saying "this is only a rumor which certain individuals have floated with special objectives"."Current talks between Iran and America are only in the framework of the Iraq problems and any haste in remarks and positions short of considering the dignity of the Iranian nation will not be in line with national interests," the MP said.Jalali said the reason behind the Bush government's push for negotiations with Iran was the failure of the US policies in the Middle East.

The lawmaker touched on the Baker-Hamilton report which advised the Bush government to hold direct talks with Iran over resolving the Iraqi crisis. "Under the current situations, the Americans need to talk to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hence, it is necessary to have a careful strategy in order to achieve results which guarantee Iran's national interests."Moreover, showing any sort of captivity with resuming ties with America and haste can prove contradictory to national interests," Jalali added.