This came in earlier today:
Graham Opposes Granting Visa for Iranian Emissary to the United Nations
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on Hamid Aboutalebi who was selected to serve as Iran’s emissary to the United Nations in New York.
Graham opposes granting Aboutalebi a visa which would allow him to travel to the United States.
Graham said:
“This is a slap in the face to the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days and an affront to all Americans.
“The very idea Iran would appoint someone to represent them at the United Nations in New York — who was connected in such a direct way to the American Embassy takeover in 1979 — says a lot about the regime and the so-called moderation of President Rouhani.
“Iran has been involved in worldwide terrorism plots and designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. Iran provided equipment used to kill American soldiers in Iraq. Iran supports Hamas and Hezbolloah, two terrorist organizations. And finally, Iran continues its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability, not a peaceful nuclear power plant.
“I’m hopeful the Senate will soon send a strong signal to Iranians that we will not accept this individual or allow him to represent Iran on American soil.”
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And foreclosing diplomatic avenues is such a great way to avenge the hostages 35 years after the fact?
#panderingtothebase
I call it common sense.
A man acting in good faith doesn’t send his mistress to negotiate the divorce with his wife
One of the hostages has came out against this “emissary” too.
Good for Senator Graham.
It’s a disgrace if the USG (U.S. government) accepts Abutalebi’s visa as Iranian Ambassador to the U.N.,” former hostage Barry Rosen said in a statement provided to Reuters by Alan Madison, spokesman for and member of the legal team representing the former hostages in their compensation claims.
Right, because a better strategy to ensure never again is what?
I think it’s ludicrous to think banning this 1 particular person is going to increase the chances it happens again. That doesn’t pass the smell test .
In this case, I think Senator Graham is on target. It’s not as if the hostages – through their legal reps- haven’t spoken out against this too.
“This man has no place in the diplomatic process, and the State Department should flat-out deny his visa application,” New York Senator Chuck Schumer told the New York Post. “
My point was that while I am sorry the hostages had that experience, and I acknowledge that some have diplomatic chops, I am not sure that banning this guy will preclude Iran from going rogue…or remaining rogue, as it happens. Keep your enemies closer.
” I am not sure that banning this guy will preclude Iran from going rogue…or remaining rogue, as it happens. Keep your enemies closer.”
Banning him to preclude Iran form going rogue isn’t the point
We wouldn’t ban him to keep Iran from doing something. That would be a huge waste of time.
We’d ban him because we have standards we expect from diplomatic people- and one of the key ones should be that they weren’t involved in any way, shape, or form of being on the side of those that took American diplomats hostage for 444 days.
No surprise. Sen Graham’s best friend is Sen McCain who seems to want to “bomb bomb bomb, bomb Iran” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9688222
Diplomacy doesn’t seem to be in Graham’s agenda
“This man has no place in the diplomatic process, and the State Department should flat-out deny his visa application,” New York Senator Chuck Schumer told the New York Post. “
I’m with Graham on this one. The selection of Aboutalebi as emissary is an insult. And it isn’t just Graham. According to the article Senator Chuck Schumer wrote a letter to John Kerry arguing against issuing the visa.
Correct- folks are trying to make sound like this is Graham going out on a limb by himself – bullcrap.
They are wrong.
Even some hostages have spoken out about it too – and in my book- that counts a lot.