Americas...:US: No Visa for Iran’s UN Envoy

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Local Editor

In a rare diplomatic rebuke, the United States has blocked Iran's envoy to the United Nations, a move that could stir fresh animosity at a time when Washington has been seeking a thaw in relations with the Islamic Republic.

The Obama administration said Friday that the US had informed Iran it would not grant a visa to Hamid Aboutalebi. It further alleged that the diplomat was member of the group responsible for the 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran.

"We've communicated with the Iranians at a number of levels and made clear our position on this - and that includes our position that the selection was not viable," White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "Our position is that we will not be issuing him a visa."

However, Aboutalebi insisted his involvement in the group Muslim Students Following the Imam's Line was limited to translation and negotiation.
Hamid Babaei, a spokesman for the Iranian UN Mission, said the decision was not only regrettable but "in contravention of international law, the obligation of the host country and the inherent right of sovereign member-states to designate their representatives to the United Nations."

As host country for the United Nations, the US must provide rights to persons invited to the New York headquarters.
Denying visas to UN ambassadorial nominees or to foreign heads of state who want to attend United Nations events in the US is extremely rare.

Iran said Aboutalebi is one of its most experienced diplomats and stands by his nomination.

The 52 Americans were held for 444 days during the crisis.
It is believed the US has never before denied a visa for a UN ambassador and correspondents say there is concern among diplomats about the precedent that could be set.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team