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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/05/AR2009050501591.html
Gates Assures Mideast Allies on U.S. Overtures to Iran
[Washington Post] Greg Jaffe - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates sought to reassure U.S. allies in the Middle East on Tuesday that their relationships with the U.S. would not be damaged by the Obama administration's efforts to open a dialogue with Iran. In Egypt, Gates played down the likelihood of a major breakthrough that would lead to dramatic changes in the U.S.-Iranian relationship, such as the re-establishment of diplomatic ties. "I believe that kind of prospect is very remote," he said in Cairo on Tuesday after meeting with President Mubarak. "We'll just have to see how the Iranians respond to the offer from the president. Frankly, some of the first things that have happened as a result of the extension of that open hand have not been encouraging." Gates assured leaders that any talks with the Iranian regime would progress slowly, if they advanced at all. "To tell you the truth, I have been around long enough to see these efforts attempted before with no result," he said.