Ahmadinejad bid to win hearts and minds
posted on Sep 23, 2012 @ 3:38PM
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has left for the US.to pursue a crowded agenda that focuses on connecting with mainstream Americans including those who are part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. For a seventh successive year, the Iranian President will address the General Assembly session, which commences on September 25. Ahmadinejad will also represent the 120 nation Non Aligned Movement as its rotating President. But apart from rubbing shoulders with world leaders, Ahmadinejad has public diplomacy prominently in his sights. Not only would he meet activists of the Occupy Wall Street movement, he will also engage with American university students, artists and intellectuals. The visit began with the customary friction with US authorities. Two Ministers, Esfandiar Rahim Mashayee, President’s chief of staff, and 17 others were denied visa, Iranian media reported. The delegation, guarded by 150 security personnel, will stay in Manhattan’s Warwick hotel.