Gulf | Bahrain

Iran yet to receive talks invitation

An Iranian official yesterday said that his country has not yet received a formal invitation to the Manama Dialogue, a security forum for senior international leaders, to be held in the Bahraini capital from December 12 to 14.

  • By Habib Toumi, Bureau chief
  • Published: 23:54 November 13, 2008
  • Gulf News

Manama: An Iranian official yesterday said that his country has not yet received a formal invitation to the Manama Dialogue, a security forum for senior international leaders, to be held in the Bahraini capital from December 12 to 14.

"The Iranian diplomatic mission in Bahrain has not yet received a formal invitation to attend the conference," Riza Nazri, from the Iranian embassy in Manama, said. "Maybe it is still early since we still have one month ahead of us to decide."

"I do not think there is a specific stance from the forum since Iran took part in past summits. The decision not to take part in last year's forum does not reflect a permanent and general position towards the Manama Dialogue," Razi was quoted as saying by the daily Al Bilad.

Last year, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had been scheduled to attend the conference. However, hours before the opening of the forum officials were informed that Mottaki "would not attend the Manama Dialogue and that Iran would not send a delegation," according to said Kay Floyd, the forum's press officer.

US controversy

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates stole the limelight at the 2007 at the conference where he delivered the keynote address.

But he waded into controversy when he said, in response to a question by a Bahraini minister, that he did not think that Israel's nuclear programme posed a threat to the region. The answer was greeted by laughter from the audience.

Gates, tipped to remain at the helm of the Pentagon under President-elect Barack Obama, at least for a transitional period, is expected to attend the conference this year as well, but no source has yet confirmed his participation.

India's National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, M.K. Narayanan, who at last year's conference said that Iran's security concerns and perceptions need to be suitably addressed and warned that non-engagement cannot be the basis of a long-term strategy, will again attend the regional Mideast security gathering, the Indian ambassador to Bahrain told Gulf News.

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