Dispute over Iran’s envoy to UN threatens to derail nuclear talks

Iran defended its nomination as ambassador to the United Nations yesterday after hawks in the US senate passed legislation to ban the official from entering the country over his alleged role in the 1979 hostage crisis.

The dispute over Hamid Aboutalebi, Tehran's pick as its envoy to the UN in New York, threatens to derail talks over Iran's nuclear programme, which are entering a critical phase in Vienna.

Mr Aboutalebi, a close political adviser to moderate Iran president Hassan Rouhani, has served as Iran's ambassador to Belgium, Italy, Australia and the European Union.

He has denied direct participation in the seizure of the American embassy in Tehran more than three decades ago, which resulted in 52 Americans being held hostage for 444 days. He reportedly insisted his involvement in the group Muslim Students Following the Imam's Line, which occupied the embassy, was limited to translation and negotiation.

Aboutalebi targeted
However, senior US lawmakers who accuse Mr Aboutalebi of involvement in the siege are rallying around legislation to prevent him gaining access to the UN headquarters. Yesterday, in the wake of the senate's endorsement of a Bill that in effect targeted Mr Aboutalebi, and as a new round of nuclear negotiations was getting under way in Vienna, Iran stood by its nominee.

“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,” Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told reporters, according to state television.

Legislation authored by Republican senator Ted Cruz easily passed the Senate on Monday, after it received the backing of Democratic hawks such as Chuck Schumer. Mr Cruz, a standard bearer of the rightwing of the GOP, called Iran's nomination a "deliberate and unambiguous insult to the United States".

"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," he said. If put to the vote in the House, the Bill is likely be supported in the second chamber. However, any visa ban on Mr Aboutalebi would require the executive branch.

Barack Obama’s administration has described Mr Aboutalebi’s appointment as “extremely troubling” but stopped short of saying he should be barred from the US.

Protocol dictates the US accept UN diplomatic staff and foreign leaders, even from its adversaries, although Washington insists there are exceptions to the rule.
– ( Guardian service)