Gov. Romney refuses assistance for Khatami

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has ordered all state agencies to refuse any asistance to former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami when Khatami visits Massachusetts this weekend.



Romney is a possible candidate for president in 2008. But I do not think this is a political ploy - it is a statement of Romney's personal views and values.

Massachusetts is a Blue state, but this decision has widespread bi-partisan support among the citizens. I also personally agree with Romney's decision.

If Romney was consistant in his efforts for protecting human rights and condemning those who abuse them, I would respect the man. But, unfortunately, this is nothing more than pandering to the likes of AIPAC.

Just look at Romney's comments and actions regarding China, the World's single largest human rights violator.

Romney's focus on China fuels political guessing

Romney's international experience includes heading the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, and his travels as chairman of Bain Capital, visiting China and other Asian nations several times, before he was elected.

Romney has no qualms about doing personal business with the alpha human rights abusing nation of the World.

Romney urges IOC to `build bridges' with Beijing bid

Salt Lake City's chief Olympic organizer made an extraordinary plea Wednesday for the IOC to consider Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Games on its technical merits and not be swayed by critics of China's human-rights policies.

Romney seems quite content to ignore China's human rights abuses here. Why does he think it's ok to have increased and closer relations with China despite it's human rights record, but anything Iranian is completely forbidden or wrong? Hypocrisy? Political manouvering?

Chinese Emabassy - Premier Wen concludes visit to US(12/11/03)

He also held talks with Massachusetts State Governor Mitt Romney and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, toured a terminal of Bostonport, and paid a visit to a farm outside the city, the capital of Massachusetts.

While meeting with Romney and Menino, the Chinese premier said that Massachusetts has a relatively large number of Chinese students and is one of the US regions which had the earliest tradelinks with China.

It also seems Romney has no qualms with wasting tax payers money on Chinese leaders inspite of their infinitely worse human rights record. Much worse than anything Khatami did.

The only thing worse than a human rights violator, is the scum-bag who cynically exploits those abuses to further their own career.

[edit on 7/9/06 by subz]

I was glad to see this. Seems Harvard and Yale are fighting over who can top the other. Glad to see Romney's decision. I don't know about any of his other stands but this one is

The only thing worse than a human rights violator, is the scum-bag who cynically exploits those abuses to further their own career.

Nicely put subz

Originally posted by subz
Romney seems quite content to ignore China's human rights abuses here. Why does he think it's ok to have increased and closer relations with China despite it's human rights record, but anything Iranian is completely forbidden or wrong? Hypocrisy? Political manouvering?

I don't think he is ignoring China's human rights record. If you read your entire first source, you'll see that part of the reason is an attempt to keep the US competitive for jobs.

As far as maintaining a relationship with China, that is good business, also. China has not yet shut the door of diplomacy, as Iran has. Iran is belligerent and arrogant. Romney realizes that Iran is a lost cause as long as it's current regime is in power. He also realizes that the door is still open with China to be influenced by the West.

Romney is more far-sighted than those who are upset that Iran does not get the same consideration than China. Well, Iran made it's bed - let them lay in it.

Riiiight, you keep telling yourself that. Romney is nothing but a hypocrite. He clearly said that China's human rights records should be ignored.

Iran has also not shut the door to diplomacy in the slightest. It's been infinitely more diplomatic than the United States ever would if some one started enforcing legally baseless demands on it.

Face it, money is the sole reason why Romney is at ease supporting China. All this bullhooey about human rights records is a crock. It's an insult to people's intelligence to try and maintain for one minute that his opposition to Khatami is anything to do with human rights.

I agree that it's probably a political stunt, but the only thing that'll happen is he might get stuck in traffic like everyone else without a local police escort. The federal government is responsible for his personal safety.

Pure pandering politics and nothing more.

Mohammed Khatami is one fo the few reformist that have graced the Iranian government since the Shah. Yes he is not the ideal potential leader, but look at his replacement.

I agree he will have a secret serivce or Diplomat protection etc. for his stay here. Remember he is also a target of the more militant groups in his own country and it would behove the ass....... er I mean governor to make sure he stays safe while in his state :shk:

Originally posted by subz
Riiiight, you keep telling yourself that. Romney is nothing but a hypocrite. He clearly said that China's human rights records should be ignored.

Put it in context. He said

In Friday's interview with the Globe, Romney said the United States should protect intellectual property rights, persuade China to float its currency, and push Beijing to eliminate trade barriers that block American products. He said the United States should invest more in technology and that the best way to persuade the Chinese to improve their human rights record is to show them that doing so is in their own economic self-interest.

Iran has also not shut the door to diplomacy in the slightest. It's been infinitely more diplomatic than the United States ever would if some one started enforcing legally baseless demands on it.

When they are not busy denying access to IAEA inspectors, or stating that they want to wipe Israel off the map, or purging liberals from the classroom.

Face it, money is the sole reason why Romney is at ease supporting China.

He was elected to look out for the interests of the people of Massachussetts. If he decides to use diplomacy instead of stonewalling to accomplish that goal, so be it.

So why doesn't Gov. Romney support free speech? Is war the only answer for this potential GOP presidential candidate? Hmm...

[edit on 10-9-2006 by Jamuhn]