17 February 1999
STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, FEBRUARY 17 - KOSOVO, IRAN
State Department Deputy Spokesman James Foley briefed.
NO CHANGE IN US POLICY TOWARDS IRAN; LIMBERT'S COMMENTS ARE HIS OWN
Foley was asked to respond to press reports in which State Department
official John Limbert was reported as saying Iran can no longer be
called a "rogue state."
As quoted in the February 17 Washington Post ("Diplomatic Dispatches"
column by Nora Boustany entitled, "A Rogue State No More"), Limbert
told a conference at Georgetown University commemorating the 20th
anniversary of the Iranian revolution that "The use of the term 'rogue
state' may make for a good sound bite, but it doesn't make for good
policy."
Limbert's speech was cleared by the State Department, Foley said. But
it was "not a formal statement of policy, but rather the views of one
U.S. government official."
U.S. policy towards Iran, remains unchanged, Foley said. The United
State has serious concerns regarding Iran's continuing support for
terrorism, its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic
missiles, and its support for groups that use violence against the
Middle East peace process, he said. "We are interested in a
government-to-government dialogue with Iran to address these and other
issues of mutual concern," Foley said.
Limbert was among the last U.S. diplomats to serve in Iran and was
held hostage during the 1979 American Embassy takeover in Tehran. He
is currently working on African affairs, according to Foley.
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