Former Iranian Pres. Khatami Visits U.S.

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has arrived in the United States on an unrestricted visa to speak with high ranking members of the American social and political establishment. His stated goal is to ease tensions between Iran and the U.S. During the next five days, he will be interviewed by several media outlets as well as giving several speeches. This charm offensive may be timed to coincide with the pre-election turmoil that is now starting to grip the country. Only time will tell if Khatami's efforts will be successful.



Many of the recent Iranian diplomatic moves bear an eerie similarity to the politics practiced by the Nazi regime that held power in 1930's Germany. In particular, Khatami's visit bears a striking resemblance to the trek made by film maker Lenny Reifenstahl in 1936 when she toured the U.S. to show "Triumph of the Will," which is still regarded as a masterpiece of totalitarian propaganda.

Katami is expected to cut a dapper figure as he speaks calmly and with much more eloquence than the current President of Iran, who is know for making some rather harsh declarations. To many jaded Americans, this is going to look like a deliberate attempt to mislead by charm and guile. It's also quite possible that Khatami believes every word he is saying.

If we are not to be deceived again, Americans of every stripe and persuasion will have to see for themselves what Mr. Khatami says, and make up their own minds.

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U.S. Lacking Intelligence On Iran

[edit on 5/9/2006 by Mirthful Me]

Or perhaps he is here to expose certain vulnerabilities, secret locations, and key strike zoness in Iran so that a Pre-emptive strike would have a higher chance of success. He would know after all.

Originally posted by DYepes
Or perhaps he is here to expose certain vulnerabilities, secret locations, and key strike zoness in Iran so that a Pre-emptive strike would have a higher chance of success. He would know after all.

If Mr. Khatami were up to such a thing, we might never know it. An examination of his writings and his speech work would suggest that he is part of a larger game of Good Cop vs. Bad Cop. While the official government of Iran makes inflamatory statements, he speaks softly and with measured logic. What would we rather hear? Something we don't like, or something that sounds a lot like what we want?

Let's remember that each month that passes will mean one step closer for the Iranians to become nuclear-capable. It's good to see that diplomacy is taking place, but we shouldn't be fooled by the dance moves. In layman's terms, the Iranians are stalling, and so far they're doing a good job of it.

I find it mildly interesting that Mr. Khatami has all but dropped off the radar during his visit to the U.S. Has the American media snubbed him because they know he's up to no good? Or, is the press cooperating with our social and political elites to "protect" them with silence while they talk to the man from Iran?

If you will recall, Rudpolph Hess made the London social scene for a brief time while his Fuhrer ranted on about Germany's many enemies...who deserved to be "dealt with." How much of what Khatami says today sounds like what Hess said back then, over cocktails?

Mr. Khatami's visit t othe United States is over and done with. He's safely back in his home by now. As good conspiracy theorist, we should be asking ourselves what he achieved while he was here? For such a high profile person, he got very little news coverage. In as much as this may have been a sign of the low regard that he may have been held in, it may also be an indicator of other things.

It's worth noting that he came here to speak with our nation's highest ranking social and political figures. Some of his speeches were heard by large audiences of wealthy people who have yet to assume power in this country. If Mr. Khatami misled these people, we may not know it until they've been in office for a few years. If the Iranian mission was meant to...something else...we may not know that, either. Not until it happens.

Mohammad Khatami is not the first person to represent a hostile regime who has come t othe U.S. to tall is that "it's okay." In the last seventy years alone, we've heard from the peaceful emissaries of quite a few nations that we eventually came to blows with.

As you do your own Google search, take note of the fact that very few of Mr. Khatami's remarks during this trip are published. Bear in mind that today's American career politician doesn't like to explain themselves. If you're looking for something else to spin new theories about, this could be it.

I saw one of Khatami's speeches on CSPAN. The entire time he talked about how we should all work to bring peace into the world. Seriously, that was the entire theme of his speech at Harvard.

As well, he stated he didn't think the US was doing enough to promote peace, neither were some Islamic countries. Personally, I would find it odd if he DIDN'T disagree with America's policies. He said there should be more dialogue between the nations to foster peace.

So, take it how you want to.

Originally posted by Justin OldhamFor such a high profile person, he got very little news coverage. In as much as this may have been a sign of the low regard that he may have been held in, it may also be an indicator of other things.

I was thinking about this, and a common theme seems to show up. Since Mr. Khatami did not come to the US and state controversial opinions, the media did not feel it was in their interests as far as ratings are concerned to cover the event. His speeches contained calls for peace and continued dialogue. This doesn't make for good news. People are only interested when the jihadists or some other conflicts are on TV.

If you want to make a conspiracy angle of it, the media is able to use their lack of coverage of a moderate voice in the Middle East to foment more criticism of the region and particularly Muslims. Instead of people hearing a moderate voice on TV, we will continue to hear the questions of "Why don't Muslims speak out against terrorism?" even though it happens everyday just as it did with Mr. Khatami's speeches.

I think Iran's pride is getting the best of them in seeking to continue nuclear material. But, I also think the US has A LOT to gain by contuing to keep people in the dark about Middle Eastern people and Islam in order to sustain their military superiority across the globe. If people don't think this is an aim of the US government, that is, to maintain global military superiority, then I would refer them to the PNAC's Rebuilding America's Defenses written by Bush's own cabinet members.

[edit on 12-9-2006 by Jamuhn]