Photo: REUTERS/Government Spokesman Office/Handout
WASHINGTON – A European Union representative spoke
Wednesday with an Iranian counterpart to set up another round of talks
between Tehran and world powers.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that the two sides spoke to set up a possible time and place to meet along with the rest of the so-called P5+1, which includes the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
“We continue to make clear to the Iranian side that in that structure the door remains open to talks if they are serious,” Nuland said, including in a bilateral framework.
She indicated she was not familiar with Israeli reports that the US had told Iran it would hold separate one-on-one talks with Iran with a 4- to 5-month time-frame, without consulting with Israel.
But she stressed that Israel is “our ally and partner, and we consult with them regularly and are completely transparent.”
Nuland also said that the United States is talking openly with Israel about how its acting towards the Palestinians and the withholding of tax revenue in the wake of the Palestinian bid for partial recognition at the UN.
“We are making clear to the government of Israel that we think funding of the Palestinian Authority is necessary ,” she said. “It should work with the PA to address the issues that they have and that all sides need to take steps to reduce tensions, to build trust, to create the kind of climate that’s going to get us back to direct talks.”
Nuland also strongly denied rumors that the US had a back channel to Hamas, a notion that has been circulating amidst third-party ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel in the wake of last month’s violence in Gaza.
“There have been some bizarre claims out there that Hamas has a back channel to the US government,” Nuland said. “These assertions are completely untrue. There is no such back channel.”
She added that the American position on Hamas has not changed, and that the fiery comments made recently during Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal’s visit to Gaza “reinforces the fact that Hamas is not a partner for peace.”
Unless Hamas “unambiguously” accepts the Quartet principles that it recognize Israel, respect previous agreements and renounce violence, she declared, “it cannot be a partner in any negotiations.”
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that the two sides spoke to set up a possible time and place to meet along with the rest of the so-called P5+1, which includes the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.
“We continue to make clear to the Iranian side that in that structure the door remains open to talks if they are serious,” Nuland said, including in a bilateral framework.
She indicated she was not familiar with Israeli reports that the US had told Iran it would hold separate one-on-one talks with Iran with a 4- to 5-month time-frame, without consulting with Israel.
But she stressed that Israel is “our ally and partner, and we consult with them regularly and are completely transparent.”
Nuland also said that the United States is talking openly with Israel about how its acting towards the Palestinians and the withholding of tax revenue in the wake of the Palestinian bid for partial recognition at the UN.
“We are making clear to the government of Israel that we think funding of the Palestinian Authority is necessary ,” she said. “It should work with the PA to address the issues that they have and that all sides need to take steps to reduce tensions, to build trust, to create the kind of climate that’s going to get us back to direct talks.”
Nuland also strongly denied rumors that the US had a back channel to Hamas, a notion that has been circulating amidst third-party ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel in the wake of last month’s violence in Gaza.
“There have been some bizarre claims out there that Hamas has a back channel to the US government,” Nuland said. “These assertions are completely untrue. There is no such back channel.”
She added that the American position on Hamas has not changed, and that the fiery comments made recently during Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal’s visit to Gaza “reinforces the fact that Hamas is not a partner for peace.”
Unless Hamas “unambiguously” accepts the Quartet principles that it recognize Israel, respect previous agreements and renounce violence, she declared, “it cannot be a partner in any negotiations.”
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