Think Progress: Why Did Rove Request A Copy Of A Secret Iranian Proposal For Negotiations In 2003?

[Pirate Smile]

Why Did Rove Request A Copy Of A Secret Iranian Proposal For Negotiations In 2003?

Inter Press Service reports that, in early May 2003, Karl Rove received a copy of a secret Iranian proposal for negotiations with the United States from former Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) — who is now serving 30 months in prison for his role in a corruption scandal.

Former Ney aide, Trita Parsi — who now works at the National Iranian-American Council — said that Ney was chosen by the Swiss Ambassador in Tehran Tim Guldimann to carry the Iranian proposal to the White House because he believed Ney to be the only Farsi-speaking member of Congress and particularly interested in Iran. According to IPS:

Parsi revealed that the document was delivered specifically to Rove, in an exclusive interview with IPS. Within two hours of the delivery of the document, according to Parsi, Ney received a phone call from Rove confirming his receipt of the document. Parsi said the proposal was delivered to Rove the same week that the State Department received it by fax, which was on or about May 4, 2003, according to the cover letter accompanying it.

Contrary to the article’s report, Rove was not deputy chief of staff in May 2003. He was serving at the time as the senior political adviser in the White House, a position with no responsibility on foreign policy. The White House press office has not responded to a request for comment on why Rove received a copy of the Iranian proposal.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — who served as National Security Adviser in 2003 — and Eliot Abrams — the deputy National Security Adviser — have claimed that they do not remember receiving the Iranian proposal. Newsweek recently revealed the contents of the proposal, which were communicated through a Swiss intermediary in May 2003.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/16/rove-iran/

[librechik]

1. Bob Ney speaks Farsi?

well blow me over!

Heheh, this little episode stinks to high heaven. Did Rove INTERCEPT the Iranian documents so that Condi never saw them????

I dunno. IMO, She saw them, and she's lying.

[starroute]

4. Ney taught English in Iran in the 1970's

http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2005/12/09/20051209-A8-00.html

Ney cites national security in withholding trip details

December 09, 2005

Citing national security, Rep. Bob Ney won’t provide details about a 2003 trip to England courtesy of an obscure company called FN Aviation. . . .

Ney spokesman Brian Walsh told The Dispatch this year that Ney, who once taught English in Iran, is "very active in Middle East issues and certain countries in that region. (The trip) does have national security dimensions, and as much as (Ney) would like to, he will not say any more beyond that." . . .

Ney had dinner during the trip at a posh London casino with FN Aviation Director Nigel Winfield, a convicted felon whose offenses have included tax evasion, and Fouad al-Zayat, a Syrian-born businessman known as a high-stakes casino gambler. Walsh has said Ney did not know about Winfield’s background.

Ney returned to the same casino on a personal trip later in 2003 and reported on his financial disclosure form that he won $34,000. Walsh has said Ney parlayed a $100 bet into the large winning on two hands of a three-card game of chance. Questions arose over the FN Aviation trip when NBC News in May reported Winfield’s background and disclosed Zayat’s involvement with the company.

[donkeyotay]

2. Is there anything that Condoleezza does remember?

She should be tested for Alzheimer's. Seriously. She doesn't remember anything.

Let me take a whack at this, the Iranian proposal was sent to the neocon dead-letters office, because they've been planning war with Iran for years.

[Bitwit1234]

3. Why don;t the democrats create a new committee

Committee to Investigate the Illegal Activities of the Bush Administration. To make it work efficiently they would have to have half of the house assigned to it.

I think they should also include investigation of the press and the media by this committee. Suggest it everyone. I think I will send Pelosi an email on the subject.

[EVDebs]

5. Kick !