
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1990                   TAG: 9007040157
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: GENEVA                                LENGTH: Short

IRAN, IRAQ HOLD FIRST TALKS SINCE CEASE-FIRE

The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq on Tuesday held their first direct talks since a cease-fire was declared in the Persian Gulf War nearly two years ago.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz later described his hour-long meeting with Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar as "cordial and constructive."

The two sides agreed to the direct meeting at the United Nations' Geneva headquarters after separate discussions with Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar Monday night and Tuesday.

Peace talks have been deadlocked ever since they started Aug. 25, 1988, just five days after a U.N.-sponsored cease-fire ended the eight-year Persian Gulf War.

The negotiations have bogged down in disputes over a resolution calling for a withdrawal to internationally recognized boundaries.

- Associated Press

by CNB