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Iran, U.S.: Obama and the Potential for Cooperation in Afghanistan

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  • #16
    This below is Reuter's answer to the question why. Click into the link below for the full text.

    Q+A: Why does U.S. want Iran's help on Afghanistan?

    Mar 6, 2009 (Reuters) - The United States intends to invite Iran to an international conference on Afghanistan later this month, the first overture from the Obama administration toward Tehran.

    WHY IS THE UNITED STATES REACHING OUT TO IRAN?

    The United States and Iran have been at odds since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled the U.S.-backed shah.

    Top of U.S. worries about Iran is the suspicion Tehran is using its nuclear energy program as a cover for building an atomic bomb. Washington is also concerned by Tehran's backing for radical Islamist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

    But the United States and Iran share common interests in Afghanistan and if they first work on issues where they might be able to agree, they can then build up trust to move on to thornier problems such as the nuclear dispute.

    WHAT DO THE TWO SIDES HAVE IN COMMON ON AFGHANISTAN?

    The United States and Shi'ite Iran share a common dislike for the hardline Sunni Taliban.

    Iran nearly went to war with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in 1998 and Tehran armed Afghan Northern Alliance factions against the austere Islamist movement. Neither Iran nor the United States want to see the Taliban back in power again.

    The United States and Iran also want to see an end to opium and heroin production in Afghanistan; Washington because it helps fund the Taliban and Tehran because the drugs are smuggled across the border and feed the habits of up to 2 million Iranians.

    More than 3,500 Iranian security personnel have been killed fighting drug smugglers since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

    Both sides have an interest in ensuring a stable Afghanistan.

    Trade between Iran and Afghanistan is booming along an Iranian-built road to the western Afghan city of Herat. Afghanistan has just opened an Indian-built road from the Iranian border linking the main Afghan highway to Iranian ports.

    More trade will help Iran but can also bring more prosperity to help stabilize Afghanistan. ....
    ....

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    • #17
      Iran's response to US's invitation to join the Afghan conference is not negative. The government's spokesman said it is considering it, see below.

      Iran to mull US Afghan invitation

      7 Mar 2009 [BBC] Iran would consider a US invitation to a conference on Afghanistan later this month, a government spokesman has said.

      Tehran declared that it was ready to review any approach from Western powers, as it would offer any help to its eastern neighbour. ...

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      • #18
        I remember commenting somewhere that the Daleram project wasn't for show. It has significant implications on any future supply chain to AStan.
        sigpicAnd on the sixth day, God created the Field Artillery...

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        • #19
          Originally posted by Merlin View Post
          Iran's response to US's invitation to join the Afghan conference is not negative. The government's spokesman said it is considering it, see below.
          Iran has accepted the invitation.

          Iran accepts US Afghan invitation

          26Mar 2009 [BBC] Iran has confirmed it will attend a US-backed international conference on the future of Afghanistan next week. ...

          UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as delegates from more than 80 countries are due to attend next Tuesday's meeting....

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          • #20
            Originally posted by Deltacamelately View Post
            I remember commenting somewhere that the Daleram project wasn't for show. It has significant implications on any future supply chain to AStan.
            India has not just built the road,it also invested in the Chabbar port.
            Indian goods leaving for Afghanistan have prority access at the port

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            • #21
              US needs a new ally in the region..Iran perfectly fits the bill ..... if the talks go well and chhabahar becomes a definite possibility as a NATO accessible port... Pak can look forward to co-ordinated ground assault into NWFP and balochistan by the NATO troops with afghan support and if Pak knows whats good for them it'll cooperate.. the wild wild west there doing no good to anyone ...

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              • #22
                This is about Iran and not about Afghan cooperation.

                China asks Iran to grasp the favorable chance and resume the talks with world powers to resolve the nuclear issue.

                Premier Wen hopes Iran 'grasps' chance

                Apr 18, 2009 [ChinaDaily] SANYA, Hainan -- Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that China expects Iran to "grasp the current favorable opportunity" and resume talks with world powers as soon as possible to resolve the standoff over the nuclear issue.

                Wen made the remarks while meeting Iran's First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi, who is leading a high-level delegation to attend the 2009 Boao Forum for Asia.
                The meeting came two days after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent the clearest message yet for the settlement of Iran's disputed nuclear issue and warmer ties with Washington by announcing Teheran will offer a new package for negotiations.

                The offer came just a day after Washington spoke of new strategies to address Iran's nuclear program. US President Barack Obama's government has sought direct dialogue with Iran - in sharp contrast to the Bush administration's tough talk.

                China, the US, Russia, Britain, France and Germany decided earlier this month to invite Iran back to the negotiation table.

                US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded immediately on Wednesday, saying the US welcomed dialogue with Iran.

                Experts feel the moves indicate that two long-time adversaries are seeking to ease a nearly three-decade-old diplomatic standoff.

                "The Chinese government hopes the relevant sides involved (in the Iranian nuclear issue) grasp the current favorable opportunity, show positive gestures and resume negotiations as soon as possible," reads the news release on the talks, issued by the Foreign Ministry.

                To that effect, China would like to continue its constructive role, Wen said. ...
                Last edited by Merlin; 18 Apr 09,, 10:19.

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