U.S., Iraq, Iran plan security committee

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

U.S., Iraq, Iran plan security committee

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer
Tue Jul 24, 11:33 AM ET

BAGHDAD - The United States, Iran and Iraq have agreed to
set up a security subcommittee to carry forward talks on
restoring stability in Iraq, the U.S. envoy said Tuesday at
the end of a second round of groundbreaking talks with his
Iranian counterpart.

"We discussed ways forward, and one of the issues we discussed
was the formation of a security subcommittee that would address
at an expert or technical level some issues relating to security,
be that support for violent militias, al-Qaida or border
security," Ambassador Ryan Crocker said after the meeting that
included lunch and spanned nearly seven hours.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said experts would meet as
early as Wednesday to work out the structure and mechanism of
the committee.

-snip-

But underscoring the rising tensions between the two foes,
Crocker reiterated accusations that Iran is fueling the violence
in Iraq by arming and training Shiite militias. He warned that no
progress could be made unless Iranian actions change on the
ground.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070724/ap_on_re_ca/iraq_us_iran

---

Source: Reuters

U.S. accuses Iran over support for militias in Iraq
Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:39PM EDT

By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The United States accused Iran after talks
on Tuesday of having increased support for Shi'ite Muslim militias
involved in bloodshed in Iraq since the two sides held ground-
breaking talks in May.

The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, said much of the
dialogue at the meeting was not "terribly relevant", but that
Washington, Tehran and Baghdad had agreed to form a security
sub-committee to examine ways to reduce violence in Iraq.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said the Baghdad talks
had been "very challenging".

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSYAT71336220070724

[Eugene]

1. Iran may consider higher level contacts with US on Iraq

Source: IRNA

Iran may consider higher level contacts with US on Iraq
Tehran, July 25, IRNA

Iran-US-Meeting
Iran will consider the question of Iran-US talks on Iraq at the
level of deputy foreign ministers, said Foreign Minister
Manouchehr Mottaki on Wednesday.

Mottaki's remarks came while he was commenting on a US request
for continuation of Tehran-Washington talks over security issues
in Iraq at the deputy foreign ministers level.

"The issue can be considered if a formal request is received from
the US side," said the minister speaking to reporters at the end
of a Cabinet session.

-snip-

Read more: http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-24/0707251429111947.htm

[ohio2007]

2. US, Iran, Iraq agree to set up security subcommittee

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said experts would meet as early as Wednesday to work out the structure and mechanism of the committee.

"We hope that the next round of talks will be on a higher level if progress is made," he said at a separate news conference after the talks.


snip

The detention of four American-Iranians in Iran has deepened tensions between Washington and Teheran, whose relations were already strained over Iran's nuclear program and its support for radical militant groups like Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas and by US military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. Washington has called for their release and says the charges are false.

snip


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1184766053927&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull