AFP: A timetable for a US troop withdrawal from Iraq would be a “positive sign” from Washington, a top official from neighbouring Iran said on Tuesday. DUBAI, Dec 5, 2006 (AFP) – A timetable for a US troop withdrawal from Iraq would be a “positive sign” from Washington, a top official from neighbouring Iran said on Tuesday.
Ali Larijani, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, said during a visit to Dubai that a resumption of dialogue between Tehran and archfoe Washington was inconceivable without a “change of strategy” by the United States in the Middle East.
“A clear sign… could be a departure of American troops from the region,” he told a press conference. “If there was such a timetable, that would definitely be a positive sign.”
His comments came after the leader of a powerful pro-Iranian Shiite party in Iraq urged senior US officials not to withdraw troops but to to transfer more military authority to the government in Baghdad.
