WORLD IN BRIEF : MIDDLE EAST : Iran, Iraq Hold 1st Face-to-Face Talks

The foreign ministers of Iran and Iraq held their first direct talks since a cease-fire was declared in the Persian Gulf War nearly two years ago. Iraqi Foreign Minister Tarik Aziz described his hourlong meeting with Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Velayati as “cordial and constructive.� The two sides agreed to the meeting at the U.N. headquarters in Geneva after discussions with Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar. The U.N. chief described the agreement as a breakthrough and a clear sign that both governments want a resolution of their bitter conflict.