Posted on 04/18/2006 10:35:16 AM PDT by n-tres-ted
LONDON, April 18 (IranMania) - The US State Department confirmed a senior official from arch-US nemesis Iran was in Washington but would not say how he got into the country or what he was doing here, AFP reported.
Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Mohammad Nahavandian was in town but added, "He's not here for meetings with US government officials to my knowledge; certainly not with members of the State Department."
McCormack said Nahavandian had not been issued a visa but was in the United States legally. He did not elaborate but said only, "There are a variety of other ways for an individual to arrive in the country."
The Washington foray by Nahavandian, described as an economic aide to Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, was first reported 10 days ago by Britain's Financial Times newspaper.
The rare sighting of a senior Iranian official in Washington comes at a moment when Iran's showdown with the West over its suspected nuclear weapons activities was nearing a climax.
Iran has announced plans to speed its research into uranium enrichment while the United States and its allies are pushing for UN sanctions against Iran.
The Financial Times quoted an Iranian adviser as saying Nahavandian had come here to discuss the possibility of wide-ranging direct talks between the two countries, which have not had diplomatic relations for a quarter-century.
The United States has authorized its ambassador in Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, to hold direct discussions with the Iranians about Iraq but nothing else.
The most effective way is to announce you're a hard working Mexican wishing to improve your family's standard of living and VOILA, you're in ;-)
Trust but verify
Trust but verify, and if verifcation fails then convert their nuclear facilities into open-pit aluminum mines.
I think he was looking around on K Street for a site to open a new eatery.
.....Them Japanese Boys was in DC as their bombs fell on Pearl Harbor....
That was December 1941.
I think the foreign Minister was there earlier, like November 1941. He returned with out having got what he wanted. Soon afterward Yamamoto sailed.
Is he meeting with Kerry?
Nomura... and his pathetic typist.
Maybe he's looking for Shah.
I've always thought that every time there is a terrorist attack against the US or it's allies, we should strike Iran's leadership.
The anti-Semitism card is played out.
Ok...The MUSLIM State Dept.....you have to admit that they are anti-Israel, pro Arab.
In general, yes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.