Iran in direct talks with U.S.: "Your accusations are merely a cover for your failures in Iraq."

[ProSense]

U.S., Iran trade barbs in direct talks

By SCHEHEREZADE FARAMARZI and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press Writer 26 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - In their first direct talks since the Iraq war began, U.S. and Iranian envoys traded harsh words and blamed each other for the country's crisis Saturday at a one-day international conference that some hoped would help end their 27-year diplomatic freeze.

Snip...

During the talks, U.S. envoy David Satterfield pointed to his briefcase which he said contained documents proving Iran was arming Shiite Muslim militias in Iraq.

"Your accusations are merely a cover for your failures in Iraq," Iran's chief envoy Abbas Araghchi shot back, according to an official familiar to the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, only said that American delegates exchanged views with the Iranians "directly and in the presence of others" during talks, which he described as "constructive and businesslike."

But Labid Abbawi, a senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official who attended the meeting, confirmed that an argument broke out between the Iranian and American envoys. He would not elaborate.

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[Drum]

1. ...

[BayCityProgressive]

2. great diplomacy

so now they can name call to eachothers face rather than over the AP lol. So glad the adults are in charge.

[Chulanowa]

3. I prefer talkin' to shootin'

Even if it SOUNDS like shootin', it's still not bullets.