IRAN OR NOT? | 2006-11-24
I probably will not go to Iran.
But the problem with reading what I write is that one must read what BOB WHITAKER writes, not rush in with all the information you have on a situation and use me as a sounding board for you to disgorge it. That is why we use the Mantra.
I have talked to people about it, and they pour forth all the information about the crisis with Iran that I can see on any news network. They are not listening to what I am saying. The fact that there are big problems with where I am going is routine.
Now, here is what MY problem is.
I would not go to LONDON on am e-mail that was signed "The Secretariat." I am getting a government runaround. "The Secretariat tells me to call the Embassy, in this case the Iranian Interests Section at the Pakistani Embassy since we have not had diplomatic relations with Iran for a generation.
For all the shouts of terror about having my head lopped off on TV, what concerns me is that I am a former government employee and professor who is dealing with a government aqnd a bunch of professors.
You will recall that the invitation said:
"Dear Robert Whitaker,
You are cordially invited to attend the Conference in Tehran on 11-12
Dec. 2006.
We would provide you with visa, round ticket and accommodation.
Please contact the embassy of I.R of Iran for the arrangements.
You are kindly requested to confirm your attendance in conference and
also
inform us about your flight details as soon as possible.
Regards
Conference Secretariat"
I figured that I would contact the Interests Section and someone would take responsibility for this guest. But so far they want me to contact the "Conference Secretariat," which is like trying to push a string, a string halfway around the world.
Gang, I have already done that far, far too many times when I was younger and stronger. This is a very practical matter. I need to be treated as a guest. I have spent far too many miserable days and nights half in and half of countries while waiting for some bureaucrat to come through. More to the point, nothing is accomplished.
I could have trouble getting out of Iran, not for some dramatic reason, but somebody simply isn't at the office.
The interests Section is supposed to call me back Monday. If I get nothing but cold type, I'm not going anywhere.