Khatami Says

NEW YORK — "Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami said Monday that U.S. forces should remain in Iraq until that country's fragile government can assume greater control.

In an interview here during his first trip to the United States since leaving office a year ago, Khatami said, "We can't leave this newly formed government at the mercy of terrorists and insurgents."

Khatami is a moderate Islamic cleric who was president from 1997 to 2005. By law, he could not seek a third consecutive term. He was succeeded by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a hard-line fundamentalist.

Khatami said Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, didn't provide weapons to Iraqi Shiites while he was in power. He said he doubts that the current leadership is doing so, as has been charged by U.S. officials including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "No one will benefit as much as Iran from peace and stability in Iraq," he said."

Khatami, 62, now heads a recently formed group called the International Center for Dialogue Among Civilizations, based in Tehran and Geneva. He said he was devoting his time to trying to increase understanding among nationalities, religious and ethnic groups.

Khatami visited New York three times as president but was never allowed to go outside New York. Asked his impressions of the country so far, Khatami said he was happy to have the chance to travel with fewer restrictions but that to see America fully would require "much more time."

---- The ex-evil-doer leader of the "axis of evil" can now traipse around Bush Land giving speeches. I hear Jimmah Carter wants to meet with Khatami, and Khatami – please note above - supports US forces remaining in Iraq, you know, until the Iraqi can "assume greater control" (not total control mind you, just "greater"). US forces cannot leave Iraq at the mercy of "terrorists and insurgents." Khatami is Iran's version of a neocon.

Out of work pols – Global good ol' boys.