Rice Rules Out Talks With Syria, Iran

Rice rules out talks with Syria, Iran

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070120...y_070120202049

1/22/2007

BERLIN (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reiterated Washington's opposition to talking to Syria or Iran to get their help in easing unrest in Iraq.

To believe that Damascus or Tehran would suddenly be ready to help stabilise Iraq, simply because the United States would talk to them, is false, Rice told German magazine Spiegel in an interview to be published on Monday.

Syria and Iran's "only motivation" in entering into such talks would be to draw some advantage for themselves, Rice said, adding that this was not diplomacy but blackmail.

Damascus would expect some goodwill from Washington over its Lebanon policy while Tehran would want room for manoeuvre on its nuclear programme, Rice said.

Of course she's ruling talks out, they might lead to peace.