Pelosi, Lantos may be interested in diplomatic trip to Iran
Affairs Committee, were asked at a press conference in San Francisco
Tuesday whether on the heels of their recent trip to the Middle East they would
be interested in extending their diplomacy in the troubled region with a visit
to Iran.
"Speaking just for myself, I would be ready to get on a plane
tomorrow morning, because however objectionable, unfair and inaccurate many of (Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's) statements are, it is important that we have a dialogue with him,'' Lantos said. "Speaking for myself, I'm ready to
go -- and knowing the speaker, I think that she might be.''
Pelosi did not dispute that statement, and noted that Lantos -- a
Hungarian-born survivor of the Holocaust -- brought "great experience, knowledge and judgment" to the recent bipartisan congressional delegation trip to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in addition to Syria.
"I find the president of Iran's remarks to be so repulsive that they
are outside the circle of civilized human behavior,'' Pelosi said, referring to
Ahmadinejad's past comments that Israel should be wiped off the face of the map
and his questioning of the existence of the Holocaust.
"But a person of Mr. Lantos' stature and personal experience is saying
that -- even as a Holocaust survivor and even recognizing the outrageous
statements of the president of Iran -- it's important to have dialogue. I think
that speaks volumes.''
With no super secret message from Olmert to deliver maybe the SanFranciscoTreat can pick up some take-out to give to Ahmadinejad. Maybe some Cha Siu Bao. I hear Chairman Short loves hot buns.
Lantos, mutely speaking volumes, wants nuclear technology for everyone.
Lantos noted that "with the speaker's support,'' he has
co-sponsored legislation in the House that calls for making available to all
countries -- including Iran -- nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes under
international oversight by establishing a "nuclear fuel bank."
"So if the Iranian president says that he is developing (nuclear
material) for peaceful purposes, we are assisting him in that process,'' said
Lantos, who anticipated the legislation could pass as early as May.
I'd call it the "Hot buns and spent rods" tour.
