I read this rumor on Foreign Policy's The Cable a couple of days ago, but didn't post because I felt like it wasn't that solid. But this seems more definite:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4197221http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126161465189603571.html?mod=rss_whats_news_usDECEMBER 24, 2009
Kerry Floats Plan to Visit Tehran
By JAY SOLOMON
WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Kerry has suggested becoming the first high-level U.S. emissary to make a public visit to Tehran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, a move White House officials say they won't oppose.
The offer comes as mass protests against Iran's regime are resurfacing and a U.S.-imposed deadline nears to broach international sanctions against Iran.
"This sounds like the kind of travel a chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee would -- and should -- undertake," said a White House official, adding it would be at Sen. Kerry's own behest.
It's unclear whether Iran would welcome the visit, and it would be controversial within both countries. The Iranian government has rebuffed other recent White House efforts to establish a direct dialogue.
The Obama administration hasn't decided whether to make Sen. Kerry its official representative if he goes, but as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Kerry can visit if the White House and Tehran both approve.
There are a lot of pitfalls to this, of course. For example, the fact that the current regime has faced massive opposition and protests. Would Kerry going there "further legitimize" the Ahmadinejad government? Still, check out the article. What do you guys think?
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