Baghdad conference paves way for US to talk with Iraq's neighbours

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Baghdad - A high-ranking Iraqi official announced Thursday that the Baghdad conference expected to be held March 10 will pave the way for dialogue between the United States and the countries in the region. 'The main goal of the conference is to get international support for the Iraqi government and the national reconciliation and dialogue project in Iraq,' said Sami al-Askari, advisor to Iraqi premier Nuri al-Maliki. Al-Askari stressed the role of the neighbouring countries in 'monitoring' their 'borders' and 'not interfering in Iraq's affairs.' Meanwhile, an Iraqi Shiite newspaper reported Thursday that 'holding a regional conference in Baghdad will pave the way for figuring out radical solutions for the accelerating violence in Iraq.' The Baghdad conference is likely to internationalize the Iraqi case resulting in a national reconciliation among the 'parties allying Iran and those allying Syria,' the paper said. Iraq confirmed Wednesday that the US, Iran and Syria will participate in an international conference on Iraqi security and reconciliation. Al-Askari announced that foreign ministers of the US, Syria and Iran or their representatives would participate in the talks as well as those of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Also expected to attend are representatives of the Organization of Islamic Conferences, the Arab League and the European Union. The White House announced Tuesday it would have high-level contact with the Iranian authorities as part of the international meeting on Iraq. The US has been under pressure to include Iran and Syria in dialogue.