Moscow visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was postponed in the very last moment yesterday. Instead, a far more influential politician is arriving to Moscow tomorrow – Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Security Council. Discussion of the “Iranian resolution”, bearing international sanctions against Tehran, began in New York. So, Iran wants to secure Russia’s support in the UN Security Council. Larijani carries to Moscow an invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Tehran before the end of 2006.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday spoke of the upcoming negotiations with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki. However, it became known in the evening that Mottaki is not coming to Moscow. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit is not cancelled but is postponed.
One of the reasons for it might be the lack of agreement on the schedule of Moscow talks. Tehran insisted on giving Mottaki a private meeting with President Putin. Tehran hoped the reception at the highest level would reinforce Iran’s positions in connection to the discussion of the “Iranian resolution” which began in New York. However, Putin avoided the meeting by asking Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to carry out the talks. Russian president must have decided to avoid the too-obvious gesture of support for Tehran. |