Turkish officials warn Larjani about Iran's stance

Meetings last for 6 hours in Ankara
 
Larjani, who is also Iran's chief negotiator on the nuclear power matter, met first with Turkish National Security Council (MGK) General Secretary Yigit Alpogan, and then with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. All told, the meetings between Larjani and Turkish officials in Ankara yesterday lasted for 6 hours. A source from the capital summarized the core of the message delivered to Larjani and the crowded Iranian delegation as follows:
 
Don't say we didn't tell you
 
"We are very worried as a country from this region. If the string breaks, and it is heading that way currently, it will not be possible to repair it. We are telling you this plainly now. Later, do not come and complain that we didn't warn you.
 
Your statements on Israel in conjunction with the nuclear crisis are doing serious damage to your image abroad. You can solve these problems through diplomatic roads. Currently there is solidarity in your country, but if chaos breaks out, this solidarity will also fall apart. Don't be like Iraq."
 
Larjani denies any nuclear weapons, talks of "fatwah"

Larjani for his part stressed during talks that Iran's nuclear program had no military aims. "We assure you that we are not involved in any nuclear weapon related activities. In fact, there is even a religious fatwah on this matter," said Larjani. Noting that his country had in fact opened its facilities up to international inspection, Larjani complained "The things that are being said are not true. The real problem is that the other side wants to prevent Muslim countries from having technology." Larjani noted that Turkey was currently in the position of being the "wise man" in the region, and said to Turkish officials "If you could tell the world our real intentions, that would be a help. We believe that you can do this for us."
 
With Larjani in Ankara, the US responded to the high level visit by a Tehran authority by giving a video conference out of the US Embassy in Ankara. Directly before Larjani's series of meetings with Turkish officials, Greg Schulte from the International Atomic Energy Agency answered the questions of reporters, who were gathered at the US Embassy in Ankara, about the nature of Larjani's visit. Shulte said "Iran's goal, with this visit, is to divide the international community."
 
Erdogan to Indonesia on Saturday, will encounter Ahmedinejad

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erdogan will have a chance to see and speak with Iranian President Mahmut Ahmedinejad for the second time in one week (the first time being a few days ago in the Azerbayjanian capital of Baku) when he heads to Indonesia on Saturday for the D-8 summit.