Rafsanjani calls for direct, unconditional Iranian-US talks

TEHRAN, Nov 2 (KUNA) -- Head of Iran's Assembly of Experts Ali Rafsanjani said the US should hold direct talks with Iran without any preset conditions.
At Friday's prayer sermon, Rafsanjani said "I hope, one day, common sense prevails over these people (US officials) and they experience the true path at least once." Rafsanjani brushed off the possibility of US launching military attacks against Iran because of its nuclear program, noting that the US Congress had published documents showing that Iraq's war will eventually cost USD 2.4 Trillion.
"If they (US officials) choose adventurism (by entering another war), all nations will realize very soon that the US has made another grave mistake, " he said.
While referring to Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he noted "One has to be patient, discuss and negotiate in order to get a good result." The US administration had said it would only hold talks with Iran after it halted its uranium enrichment activities.
Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadijneajd said his nation was the side that had the right to set conditions for these talks as there were many observations against US officials.(end) ht.ayh KUNA 021649 Nov 07NNNN