DAR AL HARB/ISLAM - U.S.A./IRAN: WE ARE READY TO TALK, WELL WE ARE NOT

IRAN NIXES TALKS WITH 'EVIL' U.S.

TEHRAN - Iran will not negotiate with the United States until it stops its "evil approach," the government spokesman was quoted as saying yesterday, two days before the countries were due to attend a meeting on Iraq.

U.S. officials say Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is ready to talk with Iran on the sidelines of the conference in Egypt that starts tomorrow, if such contact is deemed useful.

But Iran appeared to dismiss the possibility of bilateral discussions at the meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, which is aimed at seeking ways to end the violence in Iraq and will be attended by major powers and Baghdad's neighbors.

Iran and the United States have not had diplomatic ties for nearly three decades and are sharply at odds over the conflict in Iraq and Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Asked if Rice and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki may hold talks in Egypt, his deputy Mahdi Mostafavi said, according to the ISNA news agency: "No, so far the necessary situation for talks and negotiations is not ready."

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Pertinent Links:

1) IRAN NIXES TALKS WITH 'EVIL' U.S.