The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Ankara

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says he expects forthcoming nuclear talks in Geneva that will include the participation of a U.S. diplomat will bring real progress in negotiations.

U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns is expected attend the talks in Geneva on Saturday - the first time the U.S. has had such a presence - and join colleagues from other world powers to meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator.

"The new negotiation process, the participation of U.S. diplomat look positive from the outset but we hope that is reflected to the context of talks for progress," Mottaki told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on Friday.

The meeting in Damascus signaled Syria's willingness to act on a request by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to try to help resolve the crisis by pushing Iran to cooperate with the international community.

Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, welcomed a Syrian role in trying to ease the tension, Syria's official SANA news agency reported. Speaking at a news conference, he added that Iran has always kept the Syrians informed of developments in the standoff with the United States and its European allies.