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Bill Burns on nuclear diplomacy with Iran

In an interview with Back Channel US deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns said that although it will be difficult to reach a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran the chances are not bad considering the context.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns arrives at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva January 11, 2013. The Joint Special Representative for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, will meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and United States Deputy Secretary of State William Burns. The meeting is aimed at furthering their discussions to arrive at a political solution to the crisis in Syria.  REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3CBBS

Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, in an interview (Jan. 14) with the Back Channel posted on the front page, spoke about leading the US effort to open direct talks with Iran, expectations for the upcoming Geneva  II Syria peace talks, and a three decade career in US diplomacy:

With negotiations set to begin in February between Iran and the P5+1 on a comprehensive nuclear accord, Burns said President Barack Obama’s estimate of 50-50 odds of reaching an agreement is not bad, considering the context.

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