Israel Matzav

Harvard dean stands by invitation

At Harvard University, the dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government stands by his decision to invite former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to speak on the eve of the 5th anniversary of 9/11.

The dean of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Wednesday defended the decision to invite Mohammad Khatami to speak on the eve of Sept. 11, saying the United States needs dialogue with its enemies.

"Do we listen to those that we disagree with, and vigorously challenge them, or do we close our ears completely?" Dean David Ellwood said in an interview with the Globe.

Ellwood said he was disappointed in Governor Mitt Romney's refusal to give state protection to the former Iranian president during his visit. (Boston Police have said they would help with security for Khatami, along with the State Department and Cambridge police.)

The dean said he approved the invitation, first proposed by faculty members when they learned that Khatami would be speaking at the United Nations. In deciding to invite Khatami, officials considered that he had been granted a U.S. visa, that he is working with the UN, and that he is "sometimes seen as reformer," Ellwood said.

This is complete and utter nonsense. No one is going will be allowed to challenge Khatami seriously at Harvard. This is pure propaganda.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:05 PM