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U.S. blocks Iran’s pick as envoy to U.N., setting up new confrontation U.S. blocks Iran’s pick as envoy to U.N., setting up new confrontation
(35 minutes later)
The Obama administration on Friday said it would block Iran’s nominee as ambassador to the United Nations from entering the United States, setting up a confrontation with Tehran just as relations with the Islamic Republic have improved. The Obama administration on Friday said it would block Iran’s nominee as ambassador to the United Nations from entering the United States, setting up a new confrontation with Tehran just as relations with the Islamic Republic appeared to be improving.
The White House said it opposed the appointment of Iranian diplomat Hamid Aboutelabi, who was allegedly involved in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days. The decision to bar entry to the diplomat, who was allegedly involved in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, followed intense political pressure on the administration from both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. But it also marked a rare instance in which Washington has effectively vetoed another country’s preferred choice as envoy to the United Nations.
“We have informed the United Nations and Iran that we will not issue a visa to Mr. Aboutelabi,” said White House press secretary Jay Carney. White House press secretary Jay Carney did not offer a reason for the decision not to grant an entry visa to the diplomat, Hamid Aboutelabi, but said officials had “communicated with the Iranians at a number of levels, and made clear our position on this.”
“We’ve communicated with the Iranians at a number of levels, and made clear our position on this.” Although there was no immediate response from Tehran, the move to bar Aboutelabi was sure to anger Iran and possibly other governments that would view Washington’s action as contravening its commitments as the host country for the Untied Nations.
The decision comes one day after the House of Representatives voted unanimously to bar entry to the United States to those involved in terrorism or deemed a threat to U.S. security. The wording of the House legislation, like a Senate version approved previously, is designed to exclude Aboutelabi even though his application for entry as a U.N. diplomat would ordinarily be approved. Despite 35 years of diplomatic estrangement from the United States, Iran maintains a large and active mission to the United Nations. Iranian diplomats are confined to New York, but in keeping with long-standing practice as the U.N. host country, the United States routinely approves diplomatic passage for Iranian diplomats and leaders.
Aboutelabi has said he was not part of the embassy takeover — in which 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days — and only provided translation services later. The government of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said it stands by its nominee, without discussing any involvement in the events in 1979.
The White House decision comes one day after the House of Representatives voted unanimously to bar entry to the United States to those involved in terrorism or deemed a threat to U.S. security. The wording of the House legislation, like a Senate version approved previously, was designed to exclude Aboutelabi even though his application for entry as a U.N. diplomat would ordinarily be approved.
The White House agrees with the intent of the legislation, Carney said, though he did not say whether President Obama will sign it.The White House agrees with the intent of the legislation, Carney said, though he did not say whether President Obama will sign it.
It was not clear whether the United States has denied Aboutelabi’s visa request or has merely shelved it. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the administration is barred from providing that level of detail because visa cases are confidential.It was not clear whether the United States has denied Aboutelabi’s visa request or has merely shelved it. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the administration is barred from providing that level of detail because visa cases are confidential.
The administration had hoped that Tehran would withdraw Aboutelabi’s name, and thus avoid a full confrontation that could sour the mood for what both nations have called productive talks on Iran’s nuclear program. The next and potentially decisive round is due to begin May 14.The administration had hoped that Tehran would withdraw Aboutelabi’s name, and thus avoid a full confrontation that could sour the mood for what both nations have called productive talks on Iran’s nuclear program. The next and potentially decisive round is due to begin May 14.
Carney expressed confidence that the flap over Aboutelabi can be kept separate from U.S. dealings with Iran over its nuclear program.Carney expressed confidence that the flap over Aboutelabi can be kept separate from U.S. dealings with Iran over its nuclear program.
“There’s a process in place,” Carney said, “one that is moving forward in a workmanlike manner, and that we do not expect to be affected by this decision.”“There’s a process in place,” Carney said, “one that is moving forward in a workmanlike manner, and that we do not expect to be affected by this decision.”
There was no immediate response from Tehran. But barring Aboutelabi by any means is sure to anger Iran and possibly many other governments that would see Washington as acting inappropriately in denying access to the United Nations to a country’s preferred envoy.
Iran maintains a large and active mission to the United Nations, despite 35 years of diplomatic estrangement from the United States. Iranian diplomats are confined to New York, but in keeping with long-standing practice as the U.N. host country, the United States routinely approves diplomatic passage for Iranian diplomats and leaders.
Aboutelabi has said he was not part of the embassy takeover and only provided translation services later. The government of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said it stands by its nominee, without discussing any involvement in the events in 1979.
On Wednesday, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said blocking Aboutelabi from setting foot on U.S. soil would be “unacceptable.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham added that Aboutelabi“is the choice of the Islamic Republic of Iran for representing the country in the U.N., and he is one of Iran’s most qualified diplomats.”On Wednesday, Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said blocking Aboutelabi from setting foot on U.S. soil would be “unacceptable.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham added that Aboutelabi“is the choice of the Islamic Republic of Iran for representing the country in the U.N., and he is one of Iran’s most qualified diplomats.”
There have been previous instances of foreign nations seeking U.N. entry for diplomats or heads of state accused of terrorism or other crimes, including a previous Iranian nominee in the early 1990s.There have been previous instances of foreign nations seeking U.N. entry for diplomats or heads of state accused of terrorism or other crimes, including a previous Iranian nominee in the early 1990s.
In that case and more recently with Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, the requests were withdrawn after the United States signaled opposition, or the State Department has declined to process the application.In that case and more recently with Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, the requests were withdrawn after the United States signaled opposition, or the State Department has declined to process the application.