US refuses visa for Iran's UN representative.Irans calls for UN intervention.

[anonymus]

US refuses to grant visa to Iran's representative to UN citing his participation in Takeover of US Embassy as reason.

U.S. blocks Iran’s pick as envoy to U.N., setting up new confrontation - The Washington Post

The Obama administration said Friday that 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 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 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.

Video


Negotiators from Tehran and six world powers struggle to narrow ‘significant gaps’ in a long-term nuclear deal.

Iran quickly condemned the move.

“It is a regrettable decision by the U.S. administration, which is in contravention of international law, the obligation of the host country and the inherent right of sovereign member states to designate their representatives to the United Nations,” said Hamid Babaei, spokesman for Iran’s U.N. mission in New York.

White House press secretary Jay Carney did not offer a reason for the decision not to grant an entry visa to the diplomat, Hamid Aboutalebi, but said officials had “communicated with the Iranians at a number of levels and made clear our position on this.”

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.

Aboutalebi has said that he was not part of the embassy takeover — in which 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days — and that he 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 administration’s decision is likely to be viewed by some other governments as a breach of the United States’ responsibilities as the host country for the United Nations.

A senior European diplomat said it is too soon to know whether there will be any organized opposition to the move but added that the United States’ reasoning for barring Aboutalebi will be carefully scrutinized. European nations are host to large numbers of international organizations, including many affiliated with the United Nations.

The diplomat requested anonymity because the details of Aboutalebi’s case are still murky.

There have been previous instances in which the United States has opposed entry to diplomats or heads of state seeking to travel to the United Nations, most often in cases in which they have been accused of terrorism or other crimes.

In the case of an Iranian nominee to the United Nations in the early 1990s and, more recently, in that of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the requests for U.S. visas were withdrawn after the United States signaled opposition, or the State Department declined to process the application.

It was not clear whether the United States denied Aboutalebi’s visa request or 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 first response from Tehran to the rejection of Aboutalebi’s application came from Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, who urged Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, to write a letter of protest to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

“We chose Aboutalebi as our representative to the United Nations, and the United Nations headquarters are inside U.S. territory, so Americans, by rejecting his entrance, are taking advantage of the United Nations’ geographical location,” Boroujerdi said in a session of parliament Saturday morning.

The administration had hoped that Tehran would withdraw Aboutalebi’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.

There was no immediate indication from Iran that it would withdraw the visa application. But on Wednesday, Zarif said blocking Aboutalebi from U.S. soil would be “unacceptable.”

Carney expressed confidence that the flap over Aboutalebi 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.”

International negotiators met last week in Vienna to further a deal that would roll back Iran’s disputed nuclear program in exchange for a suspension of the international economic sanctions that have hobbled the Iranian economy.

U.S. and Iranian envoys met separately for about an hour on the sidelines of the nuclear talks, U.S. officials said. That followed personal meetings between Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Iran’s foreign minister, and a surprise phone call by President Obama to Rouhani in September.

Rouhani was elected last year with a mandate to pursue nuclear talks and get out from under the yoke of sanctions. He has presented a friendlier face to the West than his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with such innovations as an English-language Twitter feed.

Rouhani has hard-line opponents at home, however, and it is not clear whether Aboutalebi was his choice or theirs.


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 Aboutalebi, 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, although he did not say whether Obama will sign it.

“This is simply the right thing to do,” Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Friday. “Hamid Aboutalebi’s nomination would have been a slap at all American victims of terrorism, not just those taken hostage in 1979.”

Iran refuses to send a substitute calling for UN intervention in this matter.

Iran: No plans to substitute UN envoy pick after US ban | New York Post

N, Iran — Iran has no plans to name a new diplomat to the United Nations, its Foreign Ministry said Saturday, after the United States blocked its pickin a rare rebuke that could stir fresh animosity at a time when the two countries have been seeking a thaw in relations.

The Obama administration said Friday that the U.S. had informed Iran it would not grant a visa to Hamid Aboutalebi, a member of the group responsible for the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. While U.S. officials had been trying to persuade Iran to simply withdraw Aboutalebi’s name, the announcement amounted to an acknowledgement that those efforts had not been successful.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pursuing this issue through anticipated legal channels at the U.N.,” Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying by Iran’s semiofficial Mehr news agency. “We have no choice to substitute Mr. Aboutalebi.”

Aboutalebi is alleged to have participated in a Muslim student group that held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days during the embassy takeover. He has insisted his involvement in the group Muslim Students Following the Imam’s Line was limited to translation and negotiation. Iran says he is one of the country’s best diplomats, and that he previously received a U.S. visa. He has already served at Iranian diplomatic missions in Australia, Belgium and Italy.

Hamid Babaei, a spokesman for the Iranian U.N. Mission, on Friday said the decision was not only regrettable but “in contravention of international law, the obligation of the host country and the inherent right of sovereign member-states to designate their representatives to the United Nations.”

As host country for the United Nations, the U.S. must provide rights to persons invited to the New York headquarters. However, exceptions can be made when a visa applicant is found to have engaged in spying against the U.S. or poses a threat to American national security.

Denying visas to U.N. ambassadorial nominees or to foreign heads of state who want to attend United Nations events in the U.S. is extremely rare, though there appears to be precedent. According to a paper published by the Yale Law School, the United States rejected several Iranians appointed to the U.N. in the 1980s who had played roles in the embassy hostage crisis or other acts against American citizens.

Iran’s choice of Aboutalebi had pinned President Barack Obama between congressional pressure to deny the envoy entry into the U.S. and the White House’s delicate diplomatic dealings with Tehran. After more than three decades of discord, U.S. and Iranian officials have started having occasional direct contact, including a phone call last fall between Obama and new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

The U.S. and its international partners also have reached an interim agreement with Iran to halt progress on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. Officials are in the midst of negotiating a long-term agreement that seeks to eliminate concerns Iran may use its nuclear capabilities to build a nuclear weapon.

Iran shrugs off envoy’s US visa ban, calls for UN intervention — RT News

Tehran on Saturday sidestepped Washington’s refusal to grant a visa to Iran’s new ambassador to the United Nations, headquartered in New York, saying it would consult directly with the world body on the matter.

In response to Washington’s rather refusal to grant a US visa to Hamid Abutalebi, citing the newly appointed Iranian envoy's participation in the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, Tehran has said it would consult with the UN to resolve the issue.

"We do not have a replacement for Abutalebi and we will pursue the matter via legal mechanisms anticipated in the United Nations," Abbas Araghchi, a senior Foreign Ministry official and leading nuclear negotiator, was quoted by Iran's official IRNA news agency as saying.

Washington has expressed its disapproval of Abutalebi because of his alleged past affiliation with a Muslim student group that seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

Aboutalebi, 56, has previously served as Iran’s ambassador to three countries and the European Union.

The showdown, which comes just months after the presidents of the US and Iran had their first formal discussion in 30 years, places President Obama between a political rock and a hard place. On the one hand, he will not want to push too hard on Iran and risk disrupting the fragile negotiation process over Iran’s nuclear energy program. On the other hand, backing down on the issue would open him up to fierce criticism from Republicans.

The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Monday to bar Aboutalebi from entering America over what that measure’s author, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), called a “deliberate and unambiguous insult to the United States.”
Iranian politicians fired back at the refusal, calling it “interference” in the affairs of the world body.

"The US Senate action to bar Aboutalebi’s entry as Iran's designated ambassador at the UN is sheer interference in the internal affairs of the UN," Mohammad Hassan Asafari, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said earlier in the week.

“The Americans are not entitled to the right to oppose the entry of the Islamic Republic of Iran's representative at the UN and the US Senate approval is illegal."

White House press secretary Jay Carney confirmed on Friday confirmed Aboutalebi would be denied an American visa, effectively barring him from performing the required duties of a UN ambassador.

"We concur with the Congress and share the intent of the bill," Carney said, according to Reuters.

Nukes talks between US and Iran are on the verge of collapsing.

Article: Nuke talks collapsing as US opposes Iran's pick for UN envoy | OpEdNews

Washington and Tehran are again at odds after the United States Senate voted this week to ban the Iranian diplomat nominated to serve as his country's ambassador to the United Nations from entering the US.
The Senate overwhelmingly agreed on Monday this week that Iran's pick for UN envoy, Hamid Aboutalebi, shouldn't be allowed to step foot in the US due to his alleged role in the 1979 hostage crisis at the American Embassy in Tehran. Aboutalebi denies being directly involved in the stand-off, during which 52 Americans were held hostage amidst high tensions between nations for 444 days.

Nevertheless, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) had no problem convincing his colleagues on Capitol Hill to speak up against what he called a "deliberate and unambiguous insult to the United States" courtesy of Iran.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is expected to soon vote in favor of the ban as well, but the effort is being considered largely a symbolic one since only the White House is authorized to approve such sanctions. US President Barack Obama's press secretary, Jay Carney, has said the administration is indeed opposed to the nomination, however, and now the future of discussions between both America and Iran over the latter country's alleged nuclear program is up in the air as the argument intensifies.

Renewed tensions between the rival countries come at a point in which leadership in both the US and Iran has only now opened up to one another about Iran's nuclear program. A conversation last September between Pres. Obama and Iran's newly elected President Hassan Rouhani was reportedly the first time that heads of either country have spoken in more than 30 years, and afterwards Obama said "I believe we can reach a comprehensive solution."

"Rouhani has indicated that Iran will never develop nuclear weapons," Obama said after last year's surprise phone call, and hailed it as a "major step forward in a new relationship between the United States and the Islamic Republican of Iran."



Only a few months later, however, White House secretary Carney now says that the administration finds the nomination of Aboutalebi "extremely troubling" and that "The US government has informed the government of Iran that this potential selection is not viable."

"In our viewpoint, the ambassador who has been introduced is qualified for the position and has had important diplomatic posts in European countries and Australia and has had a good, effective and positive performance during his past [diplomatic] missions," The Guardian quoted Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as responding, according to Iranian television.

"Our envoy is qualified for that position," Bloomberg News quoted Afkham as saying. "We have chosen our ambassador."

Aboutalebi, 56, has previously served as Iran's ambassador to three countries and the European Union, but is perhaps most infamously known in America for his alleged role within Muslim Students Following the Imam's Line -- the group who occupied the US Embassy in Tehran during the year-long stand-off at the end of the administration of then-President Jimmy Carter. According to the Guardian, Aboutalebi says his role within the organization was one limited to "translation and negotiation."

But American politicians on both the left and the right aren't convinced, and are now insisting that Iran invite someone else to serve the country's role as ambassador to the UN, even if talks between nations concerning the Iranian nuclear program have progressed to a point previously unseen.

"Given the larger strategic threats to the United States and our allies, represented by Iran's nuclear ambitions, this is not the moment for diplomatic niceties," Cruz said this week, according to the Guardian. "I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this national security issue that transcends political parties," he said prior to Monday's vote.

"We ought to close the door on him, and others like him, before he even comes to the United States, and that's exactly what this bill will do," Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) added of the Cruz-led bill he voted in favor of.

"We think the process is running its diplomatic course and until we receive a formal response from official channels, we do not consider the matter finished," Afkham told US media from the Iranian ministry this week, according to the Guardian.

On Tuesday, Mohammad Hassan Asafari -- a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission -- also spoke up to oppose Washington's latest remarks.

"The US Senate action to bar Aboutalebi's entry as Iran's designated ambassador at the UN is sheer interference in the internal affairs of the UN," Iran's Fars News quoted Asafari as saying. "The Americans are not entitled to the right to oppose the entry of the Islamic Republic of Iran's representative at the UN and the US Senate approval is illegal."

@SOHEIL @haman10 @rmi5 @ResurgentIran @Serpentine @Abii @Ostad @Azizam @Sam1980 @iranigirl2 @al-Hasani @BLACKEAGLE @Yzd Khalifa @Arabian Legend @JUBA @Full Moon @Hazzy997 @doritos @mohsen

 

[Sam1980]

There are many contradictory information, some say this person wasn't really involved in that issue.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

No embassy stormers should be allowed to enter the US.

 

[ResurgentIran]

No embassy stormers should be allowed to enter the US.

He didnt partake in the storming but was a translator and played more of a mediating role. Although one could argue even that was signficant part.
From what I understand and have read from some sources, Aboutalebi has advocated for a less adversial relationship with the US.
In any case, US is required by international law, to approve him VISA.

Unless he is a threat to the "national security" but that's pretty far fetched.

 

[Sam1980]

He didnt partake in the storming but was a translator and played more of a mediating role. Although one could argue even that was signficant part.
From what I understand and have read from some sources, Aboutalebi has advocated for a less adversial relationship with the US.
In any case, US is required by international law, to approve him VISA.

Unless he is a threat to the "national security" but that's pretty far fetched.

The guy was just a (part-time) translator, I red that on opposition websites.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

He played a role in that terrorist, barbaric, unlawful, savage act on behalf of the State of Iran. Therefore, he shouldn't be allowed to enter the US soil.

The decision has already been made anyway, nothing Iran can do.

He didnt partake in the storming but was a translator and played more of a mediating role. Although one could argue even that was signficant part.
From what I understand and have read from some sources, Aboutalebi has advocated for a less adversial relationship with the US.
In any case, US is required by international law, to approve him VISA.

Unless he is a threat to the "national security" but that's pretty far fetched.

 

[RazorMC]

Representatives from countries who have occupied other nations are granted visas, but not Iranians?
UN headquarters are dependent on USA issuing visas to representatives, despite being an international body?

Absurd.

 

[ResurgentIran]

He played a role in that terrorist, barbaric, unlawful, savage act on behalf of the State of Iran. Therefore, he shouldn't be allowed to enter the US soil.

The decision has already been made anyway, nothing Iran can do.

The UN has played host to many people US didnt like. Because they were required to do it.

My point is that US is required by international law to grant him visa. Unless they can make a case that he poses a threat to US national security. That would be the only exception..
Aboutalebi has served as an ambassador of Iran to Australia, the EU, Italy etc.
He is a seasoned and experienced diplomat.

If his role was merely translating, then it becomes more difficult to argue how he poses a danger to US national security, and it becomes increasingly clear that the denial of his visa is politically motivated

 

[Sam1980]

He played a role in that terrorist, barbaric, unlawful, savage act on behalf of the State of Iran. Therefore, he shouldn't be allowed to enter the US soil.

I believe that those hostage-takers must be hanged from their balls, because they have started chain of events that in the end harmed Iran. Nonetheless, this guys wasn't a hostage-taker.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

I believe that those hostage-takers must be hanged from their balls, because they have started chain of events that in the end harmed Iran. Nonetheless, this guys wasn't a hostage-taker.

I'm holding my stick against them, their regime, and supporters.

Not the decent people of you and your likes.

 

[Hack-Hook]

well , not bad .
his name went right beside the name of persons such as Nelson Mandela and interestingly for the exact same reason .

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

This guy is convicted of aiding the terrorists who stormed the embassy. He isn't welcome in the US.


I appreciate your input though.

The UN has played host to many people US didnt like. Because they were required to do it.

My point is that US is required by international law to grant him visa. Unless they can make a case that he poses a threat to US national security. That would be the only exception..
Aboutalebi has served as an ambassador of Iran to Australia, the EU, Italy etc.
He is a seasoned and experienced diplomat.

If his role was merely translating, then it becomes more difficult to argue how he poses a danger to US national security, and it becomes increasingly clear that the denial of his visa is politically motivated

 

[SALMAN F]

No embassy stormers should be allowed to enter the US.

Shut your mouth if the terrorist USA who claim to be democratic country they wouldn't support a dictator like the shah and they would have to give him to iran but the democracy of america is bullshit and their embassy was a spy operation room they were plotting against the Islamic revolution

 

[ResurgentIran]

This guy is convicted of aiding the terrorists who stormed the embassy. He isn't welcome in the US.


I appreciate your input though.

Conviction is a legal term and Aboutalebi has never been put on trial in a court.
I know he isnt welcome in US but they dont have any say in how Iran choses its representatives and dont have any legal ground to deny him a visa as the UN is an international institution, unless they can make a credible case he poses a danger to US national security.

Thanks for your input and come again.

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

Shut your mouth if the terrorist USA who claim to be democratic country they wouldn't support a dictator like the shah and they would have to give him to iran but the democracy of america is bullshit and their embassy was a spy operation room they were plotting against the Islamic revolution

Storming an embassy of a sovereign state, which clearly violates the international law, is an act of barbarism.

Iran is still paying for it, no harm.

Conviction is a legal term and Aboutalebi has never been put on trial in a court.
I know he isnt welcome in US but they dont have any say in how Iran choses its representatives and dont have any legal ground to deny him a visa, unless they can make a credible case he poses a danger to US national security.

Thanks for your input and come again.

I was invited to this discussion and I can say whatever I want. It isn't my problem you didn't like my input though.

Next ...