Bush intends to establish U.S. diplomatic outpost in Iran

[Tab]

Source: McClatchy

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration will announce in mid-November, after the presidential election, that it intends to establish the first U.S. diplomatic presence in Iran since the 1979-81 hostage crisis, according to senior Bush administration officials.

The proposal for an "interests section," which falls short of a full U.S. Embassy , has been conveyed in private diplomatic messages to Tehran , and a search is under way to choose the American diplomat who'd head the post, the officials said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the step hasn't been announced and discussions of it have been limited to a small circle of government officials.

It's not known how Iran has responded. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last month that he'd consider the idea, which first surfaced over the summer.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20081023/wl_mcclatchy/3080999

[ohio2007]

1. Iran said "NO" to US NGO.

After all the Iranian "Death to America" baby boomers have been brainwashed with for 30 years now,how could the govt of Iran deal with the security problems of such a mission ?

imo
They will decline any direct dealings with 'the great satan' as the status quo. Deals will remain behind 3rd party closed doors

Minister Rejects US NGO Presence in Iran



TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran will refuse any request by the US-based non-governmental organization, American-Iranian Council (AIC), to open an office in the Islamic Republic, the interior minister said in comments published on Wednesday. In a rare move, the United States this month said the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control had granted permission to New Jersey-based AIC to operate in Iran.

A US official said the decision to allow the NGO to go to Iran was "carefully reviewed" within the US government, which cut ties with Iran after its 1979 Islamic Revolution and is now embroiled in a standoff with Tehran over its peaceful nuclear program.

But Iranian Interior Minister Ali Kordan made clear that his ministry would not give its approval.

"If such a request is handed over the Interior Ministry, because of the country's interest ... will not issue permission," Kordan was quoted as saying by the Keyhan daily.

A US official has said Washington wanted to encourage "cultural exchange and mutual understanding" between the US and Iranian people "while trying to isolate the Islamic Republic."

Iran has said the United States is using elements inside the country to undermine the Islamic state through a "velvet revolution."

snip
The Bush administration has also been debating whether to open a US interests section in Tehran, similar to one it has had in Cuba since 1977. Such a move would involve sending US diplomats to Iran for the first time in almost 30 years.

Iranian officials have made clear they would look at such a request. Influential parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani has described it as a "cunning move" by Washington.

The Islamic republic news agency this week said student members of the Basij (volunteer) forces, planned to set up office in the former US embassy in Tehran to show its opposition to any US presence in Iran.


snip
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8708011401

[Purveyor]

5. The Iranian gov't wouldn't give bush the time of day. I suspect this will change with an Obama

administration.

[Indenturedebtor]

2. HAH at this rate maybe Bush will adopt all Obama proposals

And he'll be able to accomplish his second term agenda in his first term :D

[Doctor_J]

3. Palling around with terrorists?

George, how cold you?

Obama should jump on the fact that Bush has again adopted HIS foreign policy

[MaineDem]

4. WHAT? Without preconditions?

This is good, of course, but are they trying to undercut Obama's diplomatic outreach?

[LynnTheDem]

6. By force, bUsh? Coz Iran says hell no.

In fact, bUsh, with all the damage you have done to us, to the world, you should be ashamed to show your face. So how 'bout you go STFU.