Iran: Presidents of 6 Leading U.S. Universities Expected to Meet With Ahmadinejad....

Let the Joooo hating begin.....

The presidents of six leading U.S. universities are touring Iran, the latest in a series of exchange visits involving senior academics and scientists. The American academics include the presidents of Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and Rice Universities.

"I think Iranian universities are interested in increased cooperation with U.S. institutions," said David Lebron of Rice University. "Although we shouldn't underestimate the contact that already exists. Don't forget a lot of Iranian academics - especially senior ones - received some of their education in the U.S."

Officially, the academics are guests of Iran's most prestigious science and technology college, Sharif University, where they will take part in an open question and answer session with Iranian students.

....And now the American academics are expected to meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

But Dr. Saadeq Zibakalam, a political scientist from Tehran University, cautioned against reading too much into the American visit.

"If they were political scholars who might engage in discussions of policy, that could make this visit significant, and signal a thaw in diplomatic relations," Zibakalam said. "But they are largely scientists. That's more neutral ground."

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