French foreign minister welcomes US participation in Iran nuclear meeting
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
France's foreign minister has welcomed US plans to participate in weekend talks with Iran about its disputed nuclear program.
Bernard Kouchner told reporters Thursday that Washington's move is undoubtedly an asset and reflects a new attitude. He describes the meeting as a good initiative.
William Burns, the US State Department's third-ranking diplomat, will join representatives from other world powers at a Saturday meeting in Geneva with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator. The decision reflects a break with past Bush administration policy.
The United States is part of a six-nation effort to get Iran to stop enriching uranium, but the Bush administration has shunned previous talks with the Iranians on the matter.