U.S. Says Will Not Rebuff Iran, Syria At Iraq Talks

David Satterfield (left) will attend the March 10 meeting on Iraq (epa) March 9, 2007 -- A U.S. official says U.S. diplomats will not "walk away" if they are approached by Iranian and Syrian diplomats at a conference on stabilizing Iraq scheduled to be held in Baghdad on March 10.

But David Satterfield, the top State Department adviser on Iraq, said U.S. officials would limit any discussion with the Iranians and Syrians to ways to secure a peaceful and democratic Iraq.

Iran and Syria have denied U.S. allegations that they are fueling violence in Iraq.

"Our hopes for [the March 10] conference are that all the countries participating in the conference come prepared to be constructive and have a good conversation about the issues on the agenda," U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a news briefing in Washington on March 8. "High up on that agenda are going to be security-related issues. The Iraqis are setting that agenda. And it is an opportunity for neighbors to express support for Iraq in their efforts to secure their borders."

The United States cut off official diplomatic relations with Iran following the 1979 Islamic revolution and the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

Pressure has mounted on U.S. officials to seek cooperation from Damascus and Tehran as opponents of the U.S.-backed Iraqi government maintain their violent campaign.

Political pressure has increased on President George W. Bush's administration since midterm elections in November handed the Democrats a majority in both houses of the U.S. Congress.

Democratic lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives on March 8 unveiled proposals calling for the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq as early as the end of March 2008.

The United States is also leading international efforts to curb Iran's nuclear activities, which Washington alleges are aimed at developing weapons.

EU Keen On Syrian Contacts

Reuters today quoted Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern as saying today that the European Union intends to renew senior contacts with Syria by sending EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana to Damascus.

Solana would discuss Lebanon and Mideast issues, Ahern said on the sidelines of a two-day EU summit, adding that Brussels is increasingly aware of Syria's influence in the region.

(compiled from agency reports)