Article

2004-11-05 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

U.S. official's visit to Iran called cultural 'outreach'

James Billington, the librarian of Congress, is in Iran this week on the first visit by a notable U.S. government official to that country in 18 years, administration officials said.

The unannounced visit was confirmed by the Library of Congress on Wednesday after it was disclosed by the Federation of American Scientists, an independent policy group in Washington. The library said that the purpose of Billington's trip was "purely cultural" and that he was traveling at the invitation of Muhammad Kazem Mousavi Bojnourdi, the director of the National Library of Iran.

While cultural visits have occurred before, administration officials said they believed Billington to be the highest-ranking American official to travel to Iran since 1986, when Robert McFarlane, then the national security adviser, led a delegation that made a secret visit in an attempt to cultivate a relationship with moderates in the Iranian government.

The State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher, said he would not "attach any special importance" to Billington's visit.

Posted by Mark Espinola 2004-11-05 5:15:08 AM|| || Front Page|| [10325 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 James Billington handed out dosemeters during his visit. State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher,didn't attach any special significance to the dosemeters.

Posted by Sock Puppet of Doom 2004-11-05 8:01:35 AM|| [http://www.slhess.com] 2004-11-05 8:01:35 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 The country's head librarian is visiting? He probably wants to catalog what remains of the Shah's personal library. And perhaps shower copies of Mark Twain on the populace as he is driven around, in lieu of candy and small change. I realize that, as a group, librarians are pretty bright and very knowledgable, but I honestly don't think his visit is going to make any sort of diplomatic or military breakthrough. Sounds like fun, though!

Posted by trailing wife 2004-11-05 8:14:03 AM|| 2004-11-05 8:14:03 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 He's come to collect, stuff's been over due for 24 years. The Library Police does not forget.

Posted by Shipman 2004-11-05 9:31:21 AM|| 2004-11-05 9:31:21 AM|| Front Page Top

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