Officials: Obama reconsidering July 4th invitations to Iran

[ag337]

Officials: Obama reconsidering July 4th invitations to Iran

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06 ... vitations/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Obama administration is seriously considering not extending invitations to Iranian diplomats for Fourth of July celebrations overseas, senior administration officials tell CNN.

The officials said intense discussions on the issue were taking place, but the final decision had not been made.

Late last month the State Department sent a cable to its embassies and consulates worldwide informing them they "may invite representatives from the government of Iran" to their July 4th celebrations.

The U.S. receptions marking Independence Day usually feature symbols of Americana, such as hot dogs, red-white-and-blue decorations and remarks by U.S. officials about America's founding fathers.

The Obama administration had decided to invite Iranians to the celebrations at overseas posts as part of President Obama's policy of engaging the Iranian regime.

As part of that engagement Obama videotaped a message for the Iranian people on the Persian new year and U.S. officials have engaged members of the Iranian government.

In March, Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan spoke briefly with Iran's deputy foreign minister, Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh, at an Afghanistan conference in The Hague.

But officials said the violence against protesters that has ensued since the June 12 election has caused the administration to rethink the timing of such engagement.

One senior administration official said Wednesday the reconsideration of the July 4th invitations is consistent with Obama's comments Tuesday, in which he said he was "shocked and appalled" at the violence against demonstrators.

Administration officials believe the U.S. will engage Iran at some point to address issues of US national security, including the nuclear issue, the idea of bilateral engagement is in a holding pattern while the violence continues.

"I wouldn't say engagement is off the table, but it is certainly on ice," a senior administration official told CNN this week.

[ag337]

UPDATE AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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No Iranian envoys to attend July 4 parties
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... QD9916P7G0


WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says no Iranian diplomat has accepted an invitation from U.S. diplomatic posts abroad to attend embassy Fourth of July parties.

Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had authorized U.S. envoys abroad some weeks ago to invite Iranian diplomats to attend the annual celebration. Her authorization was required because Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Iran.

Kelly said no Iranians have accepted, and he indicated that the U.S. saw little reason for them to, given the political crisis over their disputed presidential election.

[GoIsraelGo!]

Of course the muslims are going to decline any invitations, in doing this the muslims save face because chances are the obama administration will be forced to revoke any previous invitations.

The damage is done already and the World is beginning to see just how evil and crooked obama really is.

P.S. I just realized that the White House revoked the invitation after the Iranian politicians declined the invitation.
In other words, if the Iranians had not declined the invite, obama would not have revoked the invitation.
Seems like those muslims know how to work with each other ..........

                                                    Shalom ag337 !


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