Iran banished from Meeting to Aid Iraq: It's ‘Not Appropriate,’ Says Kerry [View all]

[99th_Monkey]

Iran’s Participation in Meeting to Aid Iraq Is ‘Not Appropriate,’ Says Kerry
By MICHAEL R. GORDONSEPT. 12, 2014

ANKARA, Turkey — Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that “it would not be appropriate” for Iran to attend an international conference on the security crisis in Iraq that is to be held in Paris next week because of what he called the role that Iran’s paramilitary Quds Force is playing in the fighting in neighboring Syria.

France is the host of the Monday meeting, which is to coordinate aid to the new Iraqi government for its fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. French officials have left open the possibility that Iran might attend.

But during a visit here to consult with Turkish officials on the international effort against ISIS, Mr. Kerry said he opposed including Iran. “Under the circumstances, at this moment in time, it would not be right for any number of reasons,” said Mr. Kerry, who noted that the French had not consulted with him on the question. “Iran has been deeply involved with its forces on the ground in Syria,” Mr. Kerry said. He also called Iran a “state sponsor of terror in various places.”

In recent weeks, speculation has risen that the fight against ISIS might present an opportunity for the United States and Iran to make common cause against a mutual foe and so improve relations.

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