Tiny terrorist wants to address Security Council about nuke program; Update: Visa granted

Expect a lot of talk about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, not so much about Bushehr and Arak. With a mention or two of depleted uranium shells used in Iraq thrown in, just as a sort of “shout out” to his American apologists.

That’s assuming we even grant him a visa. Which I’m sure we will.

As a new proposal for a resolution against Iran was distributed to U.N. Security Council members yesterday, President Ahmadinejad officially filed a request to address the world body, setting up a dramatic showdown as early as next week…

Meanwhile, Mr. Ahmadinejad told a crowd at Ardakan in central Iran that the Security Council “has no legitimacy,” and he called its resolutions requiring Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program “torn paper.”…

Jewish organizations yesterday urged America to deny Mr. Ahmadinejad’s visa request “on numerous grounds, including his violation of the United Nations Charter and the Genocide Convention with his threats to annihilate the state of Israel.” The leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations made their statement in a letter to Secretary of State Rice and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Some Western diplomats, however, said Mr. Ahmadinejad’s appearance could backfire. Instead of a propaganda coup, “it could be like Chavez,” a senior diplomat who asked for anonymity said.

If ever there was a moment made for John Bolton, it’s this — staring down the face of nascent Iranian imperialism, chin to forehead, his mustache twitching with righteousness. Alas, it’s not to be. But a sweet consolation prize would be the Senate confirming Zal Khalilzad before Wednesday, when the UNSC’s supposed to meet. ZK knows all about Iranian operations in Iraq, which should make for quite the point-counterpoint when Ahmadinejad inevitably tries to change the subject to “occupation.”

The sanctions agreed to yesterday by the big five aren’t exactly draconian (although the ban on international loans and grants to the regime might accelerate their economic crisis), but the new deadline to halt enrichment is short — 60 days — so the tough stuff may yet be on the way come May.

Update: As expected.

Blowback