2009.11.14: RPCV John Limbert is now the subject of some controversy because of his ties to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which appears to be illegally serving as a lobby for Iran

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Iran: Peace Corps Iran : Peace Corps Iran: Newest Stories: 2009.11.11: Who is RPCV John Limbert? : 2009.11.14: RPCV John Limbert is now the subject of some controversy because of his ties to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which appears to be illegally serving as a lobby for Iran

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.40.252) on Saturday, February 20, 2010 - 12:42 pm: Edit Post

RPCV John Limbert is now the subject of some controversy because of his ties to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which appears to be illegally serving as a lobby for Iran

RPCV John Limbert is now the  subject of some controversy because of his ties to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which appears to be illegally serving as a lobby for Iran

Michael Goldfarb of the Weekly Standard and others have speculated that the Stockholm Syndrome may be in play - that a hostage may come to respect his captors. This video clip , unwittingly provided to Andrew Sullivan by the NIAC, certainly lends some credence to those views. The clip shows Limbert while he was being held hostage welcoming ( in a deferential and considerate manner) Ali Khamenei, then Iran's president and now its Supreme Leader.

RPCV John Limbert is now the subject of some controversy because of his ties to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which appears to be illegally serving as a lobby for Iran

Just what does John Limbert really believe about the Iranians?

Ed Lasky

John Limbert, our (?) man who occupies the Iran chair at the State Department, is now the subject of some controversy because of his ties to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which appears to be illegally serving as a lobby for Iran.

Trita Parsi, who heads the NIAC, ridicules claims that Limbert might be amenable to the goals of Iran's regime by pointing out that he was a hostage during the Iranian Embassy crisis and wonders how anyone could think that a hostage would show deference to the very regime that imprisoned him. (and many others).

Michael Goldfarb of the Weekly Standard and others have speculated that the Stockholm Syndrome may be in play - that a hostage may come to respect his captors. This video clip , unwittingly provided to Andrew Sullivan by the NIAC, certainly lends some credence to those views.

The clip shows Limbert while he was being held hostage welcoming ( in a deferential and considerate manner) Ali Khamenei, then Iran's president and now its Supreme Leader.

Now some might consider this the appropriate and diplomatic approach -- others might wonder otherwise.

It shows Amb. John Limbert, at the time a hostage in the US Embassy, speaking with Ali Khamenei, then Iran's president (and currently the Supreme Leader). [...] For non-Farsi speakers, the exchange between Limbert and Khamenei here is incredibly interesting. To paraphrase: Limbert politely welcomed Khamenei, who was being treated as a guest since he was visiting the hostages at their "residence" where they were being held. Limbert remarked about the Iranian cultural quirk known as "taarof," which characterizes the uniquely Iranian version of hospitality, saying: Iranians are too hospitable to guests in their country, when we insist that we must be going, you all tell us "no, no, you must stay.

I read the superb book "Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam" a couple of years ago. The book provides an insider's view of what happened to the hostages during their 444 day captivity. Most resisted their captors; most had a defiant attitude. The few who did not were the exception, not the rule.

Limbert seems to have been one of the exceptions - and not in a good way.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2009; Peace Corps Iran; Directory of Iran RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Iran RPCVs; Diplomacy





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PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams

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Story Source: American Thinker

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Iran; Diplomacy

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