Iran-US talks: No meeting between presidents even after 36 years

Rouhani spoke to Hollande but had no conversation with Obama at the sidelines of the UN meet.

Written by: Associated Press

3 min readUnited NationsSep 25, 2013 09:05 AM IST First published on: Sep 25, 2013 at 09:05 AM IST

Iran’s new president met with the French president Hollande on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly,but not with US President Barack Obama,as Western nations explored whether conciliatory talk from the Middle Eastern leader offers a way out of the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program.

Anticipation of any brief but historic encounter between President Hasan Rouhani and Obama during the global meeting faded on Wednesday as US senior officials said a meeting proved to be too complicated for the Iranians.

The officials insisted on anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the decision publicly. It would have been the first encounter between US and Iranian leaders in 36 years.

Rouhani also did not attend Wednesday’s luncheon for world leaders hosted by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Iran’s english language Press TV said he skipped the event because alcohol was being served there.

Iranian leaders have avoided past ceremonies because of the presence of alcohol,which is forbidden under Islamic law.

Rouhani addressed the General Assembly Wednesday afternoon. Obama spoke in the morning,and while Rouhani was not seen there,Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was in attendance.

Obama welcomed the new Iranian government’s pursuit of a “more moderate course,” saying it should offer the basis for a breakthrough in nuclear talks.

“The roadblocks may prove to be too great,but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested,” he said during his speech.

French president Francois Hollande,speaking before his meeting with Rouhani,said he was open to dialogue with the recently elected leader,which he promised would be frank and direct. But he added that Rouhani’s conciliatory words must be backed by “concrete gestures” that show Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons.

“For 10 years,France has been saying Iran can absolutely benefit from a civilian nuclear program,but it cannot work toward obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Hollande told reporters. It was the first meeting of French and Iranian presidents since 2005,when Jacques Chirac hosted Mohammad Khatami in Paris. Khatami was regarded as a reformer,and he opened a range of social and political freedoms in Iran that have been largely swept aside in recent years.

Since taking office,Rouhani has called for a new start in relations with the US and declared that Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon. Tehran has consistently said its nuclear program has only peaceful,civilian uses.

The US has said all options are on the table,including a military strike,to thwart any attempt by Iran to have a nuclear weapon.