New Iran-U.S. talks before end of 2007

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabagh has said tat Iran and the U.S. are to hold their fourth round of negotiations over security situation in Iraq in December 2007.

The meeting is expected to discuss “the two sides’ concerns and problems regarding Iraq”, Ali al-Dabagh said in an interview with the Bahrain-based Alayam newspaper published on Saturday.

He said, “Iraq’s security condition has improved but the Iraqi government always feels the threat of Al-Qaeda in this country.”

The government has allocated 48 billion dollars to the activities aimed at reinforcing security and providing employment opportunities for Iraqi people, the spokesman explained.

Tehran and Washington held their first, second, and third rounds of negotiations on Iraq in Baghdad on May 28, July 24, and August 6, respectively.

The first and second rounds of talks were held between Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Kazemi Qomi and his American counterpart, Ryan Crocker.

The negotiations have so far led to the establishment of a trilateral security committee between Iran, U.S., and Iraq to investigate issues such as support for militias and Al-Qaeda in Iraq.