Australia said it was "pleased" with a first round...

Australia said it was "pleased" with a first round of discussions in Tehran with Iran on thorny human rights issues, saying the talks would continue. A statement from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, issued by the embassy in Tehran, said the beginning of the dialogue was a "very welcome development in our relations with Iran". The "very productive" talks here on December 9 and 10 were aimed at kicking off a dialogue on human rights agreed to during a visit to Australia in June 2002 by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi. The Australian delegation included a senior judge from Australia's federal court, and officials from the attorney general's department, human rights commission and department of foreign affairs. The statement said the talks would "continue on a regular basis". Downer was quoted as saying he did "not believe that it was productive to lecture other countries about human rights, but rather that countries aim to work together to achieve practical outcomes which actually improve the lives of individuals". Diplomats said major concerns include Iran's widespread use of the death penalty -- especially stonings and public hangings -- as well as Iran's refusal to sign up to international rights conventions.