Iran hardliners criticize U.S. earthquake aid, as Washington considers sen

[Judi Lynn]

Iran hardliners criticize U.S. earthquake aid, as Washington considers sending delegation

MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press Writer Friday, January 2, 2004


(01-02) 08:27 PST BAM, Iran (AP) --

Hardliners in Iran's government criticized U.S. relief efforts after the devastating earthquake that killed more than 30,000 people and flattened the ancient city of Bam, accusing Washington of trying to meddle in Tehran's affairs.

The criticism came as the Bush administration considered sending Sen. Elizabeth Dole to Iran as part of a relief mission after the 6.6-magnitude quake, and asked President Mohammad Khatami whether Tehran would allow a Dole-led delegation, an administration official said Friday.

Dole's making the trip would send a clear signal of American interest in providing aid as a prelude to a possible political opening to Iran, which Bush has characterized as part of an "axis of evil."

The United States already has sent Iran several planes full of humanitarian relief, including teams of doctors and aid workers, despite diplomatic relations severed since the 1979 hostage crisis.

Khatami has thanked Washington for its support but hardline clerics within the government expressed suspicion about the motives behind U.S. aid offers.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/01/02/international1127EST0504.DTL

[NJCher]

1. *, ever the thoughtful, compassionate conservative...

Giddy Dole; that's just who I'd want to see after I'd been called a spoke in the axis of evil. Yessiree, the perfect picker-upper after an earthquake.

I'm surprised he didn't send Billy Graham. Or Anita Bryant.


Cher

[Warpy]

5. That bitch nearly wrecked the Red Cross

...when her high profile got her the job as their head. Under her they sent HIV tainted blood to Canada and squandered resources in the silliest ways possible. Do NOT let this bitch get close to anything involving real, live people!

[GRClarkesq]

2. The gift horse

[Mikimouse]

3. Always look THIS type of gift horse in the mouth

n/t

[Malva Zebrina]

4. Why don''t he send Laura?

Same thing as Liddy Dole and Laura did say ,after Hillary vistited Afganistan and Iraq, that she wanted to go to Afganistan too!-well it's Iran, same thing in her mind.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Oh, yeah. This sounds like the Bush we know and love, doesn't it?

(snip) An official said separately that Dole has told Secretary of State Colin Powell she wants to go to Iran, and officials decided it would be a good idea.

If Tehran were to allow the mission, it would be the first public visit from a U.S. official in more than 20 years.

Last week, the White House announced that it was offering humanitarian assistance to Iran in the wake of the December 26 earthquake -- a 6.6 magnitude -- near the southeastern city of Bam, which killed at least 30,000 people.

"I eased restrictions in order to be able to get humanitarian aid into the country," Bush said. "It's right to take care of people when they hurt." (snip/...)

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/02/elec04.dole.iran/index.html

Gotta hand it to CNN. They definitely keep on stroking, don't they?

[Just Me]

7. One can hardly fault their suspicion,...

,...hell, I'd be suspicious, too!!! I think it is completely inappropriate for Bush to be jumping in, head first, to a political agenda at a time of tragedy.

[oasis]

8. PNACers are lobbying for Bush to make this a political opportunity.

They'll get their way, they always have. www.newamericancentury.org