Governor Mitt Romney today ordered all Massachusetts state government agencies to decline support, if asked, for former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami’s September 10 visit to the Boston area, where he is scheduled to speak at Harvard University.
“State taxpayers should not be providing special treatment to an individual who supports violent jihad and the destruction of Israel,” said Romney.
Romney’s action means that Khatami will be denied an official police escort and other VIP treatment when he is in town.
Romney criticized Harvard for honoring Khatami by inviting him to speak, calling it “a disgrace to the memory of all Americans who have lost their lives at the hands of extremists, especially on the eve of the five-year anniversary of 9/11.”
Press release, 5 September 2006
But this doesn’t go far enough for Charles Johnson: “Unfortunately, Khatami’s security is already being provided by the same agency that authorized this outrage, the State Department, so Romney’s move is unlikely to make him forgo such a priceless opportunity to spread Islamic propaganda at one of America’s most prestigious schools.”