Iran optimistic on talks over nuclear row, but plays down rapid solution

The U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns will attend the talks in Geneva on Saturday - the first time the U.S. has had such a presence - and join colleagues from other world powers to meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, in an apparent policy shift of Washington.Â

"I hope this progress (in the negotiation format) will also reflect on the content of the talks," Mottaki told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. "If the negotiations continue in this way, I hope there will be a positive outcome."

He said the participation of Burns in the talks is "a new positive approach formally".

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili is to meet EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana to discuss a package of incentives offered to Tehran by six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States  -- in return for freezing its uranium enrichment program.

Mottaki arrived in Ankara late on Thursday, a day after the U.S. president's top security advisor's visit, to hold talks ahead of Saturday's meeting. Turkey has intensified its efforts to help resolve the international standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

Iran is open to the idea of talks with the United States on establishing a U.S. interests section in Iran and launching a direct air link, he added. "In my opinion, talks and a deal on an American bureau in Iran and direct flights between Iran and the United States is possible."

He said Tehran knew through media reports of a U.S. plan to open an interests section in Iran, the first such link between the two foes in nearly 30 years.

Washington will announce in the next month plans to establish an interests section staffed with diplomats in Iran, similar to its outpost in Cuba, London's Guardian newspaper reported Thursday, without identifying any sources.

Western powers and Israel -- believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East -- fear that Iran's uranium enrichment program is aimed at producing a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists it is for peaceful energy purposes only.

Mottaki later on Friday met Turkey's President Abdullah Gul and the Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Erdogan said Turkey will overtake "some duties" in the process, adding both parties "have expectations from Turkey regarding the future of the process".

"We see that the process has entered a positive and constructive approach phase. We are also pleased with this. We should all follow the future patiently," Erdogan told reporters when asked about his impressions from meetings with Hadley and Mottaki.

SATURDAY'S MEETING
In Saturday's meeting the parties are expected to discuss the common points of the two packages, one submitted by Iran and the other by Western states, and ideas on the continuing the talks.

Mottaki said, "Please do not rush," when a journalist asked whether Tehran could accept to give up uranium enrichment works in return of lifting the United Nations' sanctions.

Washington insists it will not negotiate with Iran, as it has with North Korea, until Tehran halts enriching and reprocessing of uranium. But it is supporting an effort led by European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana that would allow early talks with others in the six-nation group before such a step.

Turkey, a close U.S. ally, supports Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful use but calls on Tehran to be transparent about its nuclear program. Babacan reiterated Turkey’s belief that the sides should overcome the standoff through dialogue.

"However we are against a country in our region to acquire nuclear weapons. The trust issue must be enhanced. Dialogue and holding consultations are needed to do this," Babacan told at the news conference.