U.S. State Department’s spokesman Philip Crowley said that the United States was open to Turkey being the possible location of a follow-up meeting between Iran and the western world.
Upon a question about the meetings between Iran and 5+1 countries on Iran’s nuclear program, Crowley said, “we are open to Turkey being the possible location of a follow-up meeting. So we have no objections to Turkey playing a role in this process.”
“We are still waiting for a response by Iran to the invitation of Catherine Ashton, the European High Representative, to meet on December 5th,” said Crowley.
“Iran has not yet affirmed that date or a location. I believe Catherine Ashton has suggested that the first meeting should take place in a more central location in Europe, perhaps Austria or Switzerland. But we have indicated that we are open to Turkey being the possible location of a follow-up meeting. So we have no objections to Turkey playing a role in this process, but it’s our view, as shared by others, that the first meeting should be in either Switzerland or Austria,” said Crowley.
AA