Nuclear, Ahmadinejad to Prodi: 

“Iran is ready to cooperate”

ROME – Iran is ready to collaborate with the international community on the most important Middle Eastern dossiers. This is what Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad writes in a letter sent to Prime Minister Romano Prodi and delivered to him by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Tehran Jalili. The letter was delivered during the meeting that this morning Jalili had at Palazzo Chigi with the Prime Minister and with Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema. It is learned in governmental environments.

According to the same sources, Prodi and D’Alema reiterated to the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister that Iran’s legitimate aspiration to be recognized as a regional power should be exercised by assuming a responsible role, showing full availability to cooperate to solve the most relevant problems of the area.

Iran, in short, emphasized Prodi and D’Alema, must use its weight and its influence in view of a full stabilization of the region. A channel of dialogue with Tehran is fine, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister concluded, but the Iranian leadership must clearly commit itself in this direction.

November 17, 2006