Israel Matzav

US forces EU parliamentarians to cancel Iran trip

A group of EU parliamentarians that was planning to visit Iran has confirmed that it has canceled its trip under pressure from the United States.

A delegation of EU legislators canceled a planned trip to Iran after US congressmen sent a letter of protest to Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament, EU Parliament spokesman Thomas Dudrap confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

The EU delegation still wanted to travel this week to Teheran, but the meeting has been called off for now.

In the letter the congressmen wrote, "We believe that such a visit, especially at this critical juncture, is counterproductive and potentially damaging to the international community's efforts to stop Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

"As you know, Iran's leaders have been relentlessly pursuing nuclear capabilities for several years, in violation of their obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). They have threatened their neighbors as well as the United States and the European Union.

"As prime funders of Hamas and Hizbullah, they have threatened Western targets, sought to destabilize a critical region in the world, and dedicated themselves to the destruction of the State of Israel."

The letter was signed by 15 members of Congress. Asked if it prompted the EU delegation to cancel its January 8 visit, Dudrap said he "does not know."

Can someone please explain to me why these unnamed members of Congress were apparently okay with John Kerry going to Iran until the Iranians said no, but objected to the Europeans going? Don't get me wrong - I don't think anyone should be visiting Iran right now because it will only encourage the current regime to believe that they can retain power. But the contrast between Kerry and Euroweenies does seem to be a double standard (which I made more blatant with the picture I chose. Heh). Then again, I wouldn't expect any better from this Democrat-controlled Congress.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:31 AM