The U.S. Confirms Contact with Iranian Representatives - 2002-05-10

The U.S. government has confirmed a rare contact with Iran, informing Iranian officials about the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which are being mediated by Washington. Richard Boucher, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that this meeting took place in Paris. According to this spokesperson, Iran, as a neighbor of the Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia, has legitimate interests in being informed about America's mediating efforts. The U.S., Russia, and France jointly chair the Minsk Group, which seeks to mediate the long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Minsk Group agreed that Iran should be kept informed during the peace talks. The meeting on Friday between Iranian and American diplomats occurred just one day after both countries denied reports of secret talks. U.S. officials say that diplomats from both countries have met on the sidelines of international conferences, such as the gathering related to Afghanistan in Germany. Washington has severed its relations with Iran for over 20 years, and President Bush has stated that Iran, alongside Iraq and North Korea, is part of an axis of evil.