Former Iranian Pres. in U.S. for Talks

Granted a visa on August 29, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has arrived in the U.S. He plans on attending this week's UN conference and has scheduled trips to make speeches in Washington and Chicago. Khatami will not, however, be meeting with U.S. officials. Given the current frosty relationship with Iran, I wonder why the U.S. government even granted him a visa.

Nevertheless, his arrival has spurred speculation that he may meet with former President Carter.

From Radio Free Europe:

There has been talk that Khatami's U.S. visit could eventually lead to a meeting with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose presidency was marred by the taking of U.S. hostages in Tehran following the Islamic revolution in 1979.

"The Washington Post" reported that Carter has agreed in principle to host Khatami. There has been no official reaction from Khatami, but the "Financial Times" quoted Iranian sources today as saying Khatami would be unlikely to accept such an invitation.

Even so, some people are hopeful. In particular, Professor Houshang Amirahmadi of Rutgers University and the Iranian-American Council believes Khatami's presence is positive and a meeting with Jimmy Carter could be a real icebreaker.

"Before traveling to the U.S., Mr. Khatami should discuss the issue with Iranian leaders, with Ayatollah [Ali] Khamenei, and tell them that after meeting with Mr. Carter he would invite [Carter] to visit Iran," Amirahmadi says.

Interestingly, it seems that all the enemies of the United States just love Jimmy Carter. It's odd that he doesn't seem to notice.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.