Carter and Khomeini

[cema]

From J'Post:

Carter's ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young, said "Khomeini will eventually be hailed as a saint." Carter's Iranian ambassador, William Sullivan, said, "Khomeini is a Gandhi-like figure."

Is this true? Did they actually say this? Was it consistent with the official policy of the US at the time?

Comments

[arbat.livejournal.com]

Thinking about it - do you know Carter position on the USSR before they invaded Afghanistan? How about him asking Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin for help with the US Presidential elections against Reagan?

[cema.livejournal.com]

I know Carter's position on the USSR and, more relevant, on Iran, and I know he was reluctant to confront Khomeini. I did not know his "ambassadors" were actually saying things like these. I am not surprised he personally was an idiot then seeing how he is an idiot now. But there is a difference between an idiot in a political office (voted in–voted out or assigned–resigned) and idiots in the professional corps.

[arbat.livejournal.com]

Actually, seeking Soviet's help in the US election hardly qualifies as "idiocy". The more appropriate word is "treason".

[cema.livejournal.com]

We are digressing here; I do not think he was seeking Iran's endorsement. Calling Khomeini a saint or a Ghandi-like figure is more than a stretch.