ROMNEY DENOUNCES KHATAMI VISIT TO HARVARD

www.Mass gov ^ | September 5, 2006

[nuconvert]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department State House Boston, MA 02133 (617) 725-4000

MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR

KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2006

CONTACT: Eric Fehrnstrom (617) 725-4025

ROMNEY DENOUNCES KHATAMI VISIT TO HARVARD
Declines to provide escort, or offer state support for trip

Governor Mitt Romney today ordered all Massachusetts state government agencies to decline support, if asked, for former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami’s September 10 visit to the Boston area, where he is scheduled to speak at Harvard University.

“State taxpayers should not be providing special treatment to an individual who supports violent jihad and the destruction of Israel,” said Romney.

Romney’s action means that Khatami will be denied an official police escort and other VIP treatment when he is in town.  The federal government provides security through the U.S. State Department.

Romney criticized Harvard for honoring Khatami by inviting him to speak, calling it “a disgrace to the memory of all Americans who have lost their lives at the hands of extremists, especially on the eve of the five-year anniversary of 9/11.”

Said Romney: “The U.S. State Department listed Khatami’s Iran as the number one state sponsor of terrorism.  Within his own country, Khatami oversaw the torture and murder of dissidents who spoke out for freedom and democracy.  For him to lecture Americans about tolerance and violence is propaganda, pure and simple.”

Romney cited a litany of hateful actions by Khatami, including his support for violent jihadist activities:

• During the period of time he was in office, from 1997 to 2005, Khatami presided over Iran’s secret nuclear program.  Currently, the Iranian Government under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is snubbing the international community’s request to cease nuclear weapons production.
  
• In the recent conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border, Khatami described the terrorist group Hezbollah as a “shining sun that illuminates and warms the hearts of all Muslims and supporters of freedom in the world.”
  
• Khatami has endorsed Ahmadinejad’s call for the annihilation of Israel.
  
• During Khatami’s presidency, Iran refused to hand over the Iranian intelligence officials who were responsible for the attack on the Khobar Towers that killed 19 U.S. military personnel.
  
• In his own country, Khatami oversaw the torture and murder of Iranian students, journalists, and others who spoke out for freedom and democracy.  Khatami relaxed freedom of speech laws giving democracy reformers a false sense of security only to engage in one of the largest crackdowns in the country’s history.
  
• In Khatami’s Iran, there was no religious tolerance.  According to the U.S. Office of International Religious Freedom, Iran was one of the worst offenders of religious persecutions.  Minorities, such as Evangelicals, Jews, Catholics and others, have suffered.

“Khatami pretends to be a moderate, but he is not.  My hope is that the United States will find and work with real voices of moderation inside Iran.  But we will never make progress in the region if we deal with wolves in sheep’s clothing,” said Romney.

[nuconvert]

I thought this deserved to be posted as originally released

[Gabz]

Nice to see he occassionally has a set.

[rhombus]

As always, the Massachusetts legislature will find a way to undue what Romney is trying to do. If all else fails they can just vote Khatami a hefty stipend and a no-show job. /sarc

[tsmith130]

If all else fails they can just vote Khatami a hefty stipend and a no-show job.

I heard they need a new director of the Big Dig. Apparently, that's a no-show job.

[samadams2000]

Geez what a heroic stance. Not a hair out of place or a voter ruffled.

[bitt]

HOORAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

Mitt is a pretty cool guy.

Of course, the Boston Glob is deeply saddened......but daren't criticize too much just yet....they have to try and figure out the "bad Mormon" angle on this......

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2006/09/romney_orders_s.html

[EagleUSA]

Nice to see he occassionally has a set.
-----
Yes, it is too bad the Administration does not have a set as well --- this terrorist maggot should never have been allowed inside of our borders -- next he will be sleeping in the Lincoln bedroom ...

[nuconvert]

He's the only governor who "has a set".

Not a peep from Illinois, N.Y., Virginia or the Mayor of D.C.

[roses of sharon]

Did Mitt read my post last week about my request for an 08 President?

A ruthless SOB.

[stm]

Don't forget to give him an honorary PhD and automatic tenure.

[bitt]

“Khatami pretends to be a moderate, but he is not. My hope is that the United States will find and work with real voices of moderation inside Iran. But we will never make progress in the region if we deal with wolves in sheep’s clothing”.


who let this bastid in the country anyway?

[rhombus]

who let this bastid in the country anyway?

Maybe Mitt can have him arrested and then exchange him for something. Let's see if they act "disproportionally".

[NeoCaveman]

who let this bastid in the country anyway?

Our "setless" state department.

[bitt]

I'll see you a Khatami and raise you one Koffi.....

[nuconvert]

"who let this bastid in the country anyway?"

Nicholas Burns, Undersecretary of State

[popdonnelly]

Very cool, Governor Romney. Now please stick to your guns.

[libbylu]

lol
I am glad he took a stand.

[JCEccles]

Bump

[nuconvert]

Pong