Iran Promises 'Strong Action' Over Envoy's Arrest

Reuters ^ | 8/24/03

[truthandlife]

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said on Sunday Iran would take "strong action" over the arrest of its ex-ambassador to Argentina in connection with the bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires in 1994. Ex-envoy Hadi Soleimanpour, 47, was arrested in Britain on Thursday after Argentina requested his extradition in connection with the AMIA Jewish Community Center blast that killed 85 people.

Iran has called for Soleimanpour's immediate release and calls the case is politically motivated, a charge dismissed by Britain. Iran said on Saturday it was cutting economic and cultural ties with Argentina because of the arrest.

"The Iranian government will take strong action on this issue," the president said in remarks broadcast on state television, but gave few details about what that would involve.

Khatami said he had demanded an immediate apology from Britain and said the Foreign Ministry would summon the British charge d'affaires in Tehran for a second time.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is sensitive about all of its citizens, particularly those who have responsibility, and it will not compromise on this," Khatami said.

Britain's charge d'affaires Matthew Gould told Reuters he had told Iranian Foreign Ministry officials on Saturday that Soleimanpour's arrest was not politically motivated, and that the court's decision was independent of the British government.

Diplomats said the Iran's cutting of economic ties could affect Argentinian exports to Iran of wheat, sunflower oil, rice and other foodstuffs.

Soleimanpour entered Britain on a student visa in February last year to study at Durham University.

Tehran denies any involvement in the Buenos Aires bombing and withdrew its ambassador from Argentina earlier this year to protest against the allegation.

[Napoleon Solo]

Another "Student Visa" entry for this time a 47 year old!! He must have squirreled away quite a sum while Ambassador, oops charge de terrorism while in Argentina!! Good catch, Britain.

So it just continues to spread, this pig vermin infected Islamofacism. It needs to be wiped out once and for all before its too late.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Iran is caught with bloodstained hands again.

[jimtorr]

Soleimanpour entered Britain on a student visa in February last year to study at Durham University.

Yep, sounds like the terrorist method of being in a country legitimately to me.

Many of the terrorists arrested in this country, Britain, France and Germany were also posing a students.

[abclily]

Bring it on, already.

[ellhow]

I don't know about Iran being involved. From what I've heard it came from one informant. That always makes me suspicious that the informant was just some guy who wants a green card. We've seen a lot of bogus "intelligence" that's come from such people (underground cities in Iraq etc etc)I don't see the point in Iran blowing up a Jewish center. It seems more like something crazed individuals (a la McVeigh) would do. I think Soleimanpour will be aquited.