Top Iran official to hold talks in Saudi

[maddezmom]

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran's top national security official Ali Larijani has left on a visit to Saudi Arabia for talks with King Abdullah, the official IRNA news agency reported.

IRNA said Larijani, who is also Iran's top nuclear negotiator, will discuss issues of mutual interest related to the Islamic world and the regional situation.

~snip~

Both countries share long borders with Iraq, which is dogged by intercommunal bloodletting between its majority Shiite and minority Sunni communities.

Larijani's visit comes just over a month after Shiite Iran expressed concern over suggestions that Saudi Arabia might intervene on the side of Iraq's Sunnis if the United States swiftly pulls out of Iraq.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070114/wl_afp/iransaudiiraqpolitics_070114080131

[oblivious]

1. At least the Iranian leadership gets out there and talks to other countries.

Ahamadinejine in Africa, South and Central America this trip.

Iranian Minister for Health and Medical Education in Pakistan this week making trade/friendship/cooperation deals with the Pakistani PM.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki conferred with his Afghan counterpart Rangin Dadfar Spanta this week on expansion of economic and commercial ties.

And also Iran's top national security official visiting with King Abdullah.

Building bridges while the US destroys them.

[maddezmom]

2. agree, Hosseini meets with Crown Prince....expansion of ties

Saudi Arabia and Iran on expansion of ties
Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 1/13/2007

Iran's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Hosseini in a meeting today with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz stressed on expansion of bilateral ties.

Referring to the cultural, religious and historical commonalities between the two countries, the ambassador said that Iran and Saudi Arabia can play an important and effective role in decreasing existing tension and problems in the Middle East region.

The two countries say that they both have common interest in stability in Iraq, while at the same time have different sides they support seemingly based on factional Islamic identity, of Sunnis and Shiites branches of Islam. Also, each tends to be wary of the other side's regional role.

Hosseini said, "Now there are suitable atmosphere for promotion of bilateral cooperation in all fields." In the meeting, the Saudi crown prince called for expansion of cooperation between the two countries adding that there are many fields for such expansion and that the region and the Islamic world can benefit from it.

Meantime, Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Italy in a joint press conference today and underlined the peaceful solution of Iran's nuclear dossier.

more:
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/070113/2007011301.html


We are becoming more isolated everyday.

[fujiyama]

3. When I first read "crown" prince

I read it as "clown" prince.

[maddezmom]

4. and when I read "clown" prince

I instantly thought of Dubya

[lyonn]

9. Why isn't the U.S. being represented at this meeting?

Silly question, that would be logical thinking.

[kitty1]

10. I'm sure Iran isn't coming to visit the Saudi's empty handed ..

They must have a sweet lucrative deal going down with them.
Maybe the Iran pres will have his people lay off the Sunnis in Iraq in return for mutual consideration in view of the impending chaos ahead.
They both have a mutual dislike for Israel and the U.S., and neither can afford to be weakened economically which is what the fall out would be with any major civil war right now. It would be a losing situation for both of them. The Saudis are pretty nervous right now about attacks on their oilfields from Shia groups pretty soon. Better to buddy up and unite together in all of this.

[dmosh42]

5. Iran "does" want to talk

That's the important point in this. Buah and gang have been saying there's no point in talking with Iran and Syria, while they have been hinting at their willingness to do talks with us.

[CJCRANE]

6. Iranians might as well talk directly to the Bushco paymasters

and cut out the middleman.

[aquart]

7. Cutting out the middleman. Good.

Of course, it further diminishes our power and influence but, hey, that's up the spout with George, anyway.

[angstlessk]

8. boosh IS a uniter...not just 'Arab Nationalism'...but Middle East Union?

forget the 'caliphate'..they could produce a 'Middle East Union' like that of the European Union and NO ONE will get the oil except those they WANT to sell the oil to.