Thompson calls for stop to Iranian leader's visit

Thompson calls for stop to Iranian leader's visit

11:10 PM CDT on Thursday, September 20, 2007
By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News
gjeffers@dallasnews.com

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson said Thursday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should not be allowed into the country, much less at the World Trade Center site, when he travels to New York next week to address the United Nations.

"I know there would be ramifications in the United Nations" if the U.S. refused to let Mr. Ahmadinejad into the country, Mr. Thompson said during a brief news conference at Dallas Love Field. "I would deny this character a visa. What's he going to do, visit there to get pointers for his own activities? I wouldn't let him in the country."

Mr. Thompson said the Iranian regime was a threat to Americans and should be dealt with accordingly.

"They've been killing Americans here and there all over the world for some time," he said. "They're doing so in Iraq today."

On Thursday, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said he would not allow Mr. Ahmadinejad anywhere near Ground Zero. The chance of a diplomatic showdown appeared to lessen when Mr. Ahmadinejad said he would abide by the decision.

But before the decision was announced, Mr. Thompson said a visit to the site by the Iranian would be a very bad idea.

"It's an insult to the America people and the civilized world," Mr. Thompson said. "He should not be allowed within miles of Ground Zero. In fact he shouldn't be allowed in the United States of America."

Mr. Thompson said he would "ratchet up" sanctions against Iran and help Iranians overthrow their government.

Mr. Thompson was in Dallas for a fundraiser, the end of a two-day Texas tour.