We’ve heard all sorts of reasons why people think Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s invitation to speak to the United Nations this week should be revoked. It was even suggested on one cable television program that he be dropped out of a helicopter and into the U.N. building so he doesn’t set foot on U.S. soil.
If only.
Ahmadinejad might not be on any American’s dinner invitation list, but Iran happens to be a member of the United Nations. And while we don’t doubt Iran poses a significant threat in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, now is the time to deal with Iran through diplomacy, and the U.N. is the best vehicle available.
Besides, Ahmadinejad likely will not be the only leader of a so-called rogue state in attendance. He’s been here twice before and little has changed in the interim except perhaps that he has gained more notoriety with his hyperbolic rhetoric. This, after all, is the guy who has called for the elimination of Israel, and sponsors Hezbollah, a terrorist group.
The flareup over his visit comes as the Bush administration continues to pressure Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program and to keep out of Iraqi politics. The U.S. and its allies should keep up the pressure but should also take advantage of the visit to apply a little more diplomacy.
Even while Ahmadinejad speaks to the U.N. this coming week, the U.N. Security Council is pondering yet another resolution that would impose additional sanctions on Iran for failing to halt its uranium enrichment program. Past limited sanctions have had little impact.
The U.S. and its allies accuse Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran insists its program is aimed at generating electricity for civilian use.
The U.S. needs to keep up the pressure and, if necessary, impose more sanctions, but denying the Iranian president access to the United Nations won’t help. It wouldn’t change his behavior, nor would it change Iran’s goal to gain greater pre-eminence in the Middle East.
As to whether he should be able to visit Ground Zero and grandstand for political purposes in the name of those who died there on Sept. 11, 2001, that’s quite another issue. He was understandably denied permission by authorities citing security concerns.
He’s not here to play tourist anyway. What’s next? Take in a Yankees game?
During a recent interview, Ahmadinejad said he was “ready to hold talks with Bush on important global issues at the assembly. Let us hold talks about Iraq and other issues. Then public opinion will judge. … We will offer our global solutions,” he said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will attend the U.N. opening ceremonies and meet with other members of the Security Council.
Rice continues to insist that President Bush is committed to diplomacy with Iran.
Given the strong stance other countries are taking against Iran, we hope so. It’s currently the best option available.
