U.S. approves Iranian president visa for UN meeting

Source: Xinhuanet | 03-20-2007 08:54

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States has approved Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's request for a visa to come to the United Nations, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Monday.

"It has been approved," said McCormack, noting as host of the United Nations, the United States is obligated to "host country obligations."

Speaking of an expected speech by the Iranian leader at the UN, McCormack said "It would be an important moment for President Ahmadinejad in his address to the Security Council to take the opportunity to say: 'We are going to negotiate, we do not seek confrontation, we seek dialogue.'"

The UN Security Council is due to meet Wednesday to review a draft sanctions resolution against Iran agreed last week by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia -- plus Germany.

The Iranian leader is expected to address the UN Security Council to defend Iran's nuclear right.

Washington and Tehran severed diplomatic ties since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.

The United States granted the Iranian leader a visa last year so that he could attend the UN General Assembly held in New York in September last year.

The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. Iran rejects the accusation, stressing its nuclear programs are for peaceful purposes only.

Editor:Du Xiaodan