Much is being made out of the decision to grant a visa to Former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, who plans to make appearances at the U.N. and speaking events while he's here. Senator Santorum has expressed his outrage over the decision. According to the State Department's Press Guidance for Khatemi's visit, which was sent to us here at Blogs For Bush, while they recognize that former President Khatami "headed a regime that is a leading sponsor of terrorism, human rights abuses, and, presided over Iran’s secret nuclear program which is now the focus of possible UN action," it was determined after "careful deliberation" that issuing Khatami a limited visa would allow him "to present his views directly to the American people, will demonstrate to Iran that the United States upholds its commitment to freedom and democracy," and they're counting on Khatami facing tough questions from his audiences about the past and present behavior of the Iranian regime. By no means does this visit signal a change in policy toward Iran or our country's views of the Iranian government, and Khatami will not be meeting with any administration officials while he's here.

It seems like it was a lose-lose situation. Even Reagan denied Arafat a visa for a U.N. visit.

UPDATE: By Mark Noonan: It is strange - and there may be more here than meets the eye. Khatami was the alleged moderate, and he was in a manner of speaking booted out of office in order that Iran's current lunatic could take office. I'm unconvinced that this visa approval is an error - or unintentional.

Posted by Matt at August 31, 2006 07:59 AM

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Comments

Under Khatami the Iranians sponsored Hizbollah and maintained the secret nuclear program that has just recently come to light. He's supposed to be a moderate? Compared to who? That wacko in charge now?

Posted by: Kahn at August 31, 2006 10:29 AM

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Dude, if you're going to talk about Khatami at least make the effort to learn a thing or two about the Iranian political system.

Yes, Khatami is a moderate. He won elections on campaigns to reform the political system, imrpove rights of women, focus on education, and economic development. However, a president in Iran does not have the same powers as a president here. Key members of his administration were faced with beatings, intimidation, and even assasinations carried out by radical elements WITHIN the Iranian government. At the end of the day, the Supereme Council of the fanatics denied his reform proposals. The Iranian intelligence services themsleves also participated in assasinations against his political allies. The fact of the matter is, this is a guy that we should have supported from the very beginning. At the end of the day, he was unable to gain much support in the West, which made him look weak in his own country.

Posted by: Zim at August 31, 2006 12:55 PM

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