Joins world powers for nuclear talks
Kerry arrives in Austria for talks with five other world powers, Germany and Iran concerning Tehran’s nuclear program. The participants are in the final round of negotiations to reach a permanent deal on Iran’s nuclear program before the July 20, 2014 deadline. The talks include the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: the U.S., UK, France, China and Russia. Germany is also participating in the talks. Kerry states
Obviously, we have some very significant gaps still, so we need to see if we can make some progress. I really look forward to a very substantive and important set of meetings and dialogues. It is vital to make certain that Iran is not going to develop a nuclear weapon, that their program is peaceful.
Meets Kurdish leaders
Kerry returns to Iraq for the second day in a row in an effort to convince political leaders there to overhaul the government. He is insisting that a change in the Shiite-led government is the best way to prevent a civil war in that country. Kerry believes that support from Kurdish regional president, Massoud Barzani, will force Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki al-Maliki to cede more power to Iraq’s Sunni and Kurdish minorities and soothe anger directed at Baghdad that has fueled the insurgent Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Kerry dismisses election
On a visit to Lebanon, Secretary of State Kerry declares the Syrian election meaningless and says it will have no impact on U.S. policy. Kerry says the United States continues to support a political solution to the Syrian crisis and announces a contribution of $290 million in humanitarian aid.
The elections are non-elections. A great big zero. Nothing has changed between the day before the election and after.