http://www.nysun.com/article/63004
By SARAH GARLAND
Staff Reporter of the Sun
September 19, 2007 updated 3:21 pm EDT
Behrouz Mehri / AFP / Getty
President Ahmadinejad addresses the parliament on Iran's fourth development plans in Tehran, September 17, 2007.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
In a move that has stunned New York, the Bloomberg administration is in discussions to escort the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to ground zero during his visit to New York next week, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said today.
The Iranian mission to the U.N. made the request to the New York City Police Department and the Secret Service, who will jointly oversee security during the president's two-day visit. Mr. Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive September 24 to speak to the U.N. General Assembly as the Security Council decides whether to increase sanctions against Iran for its uranium enrichment program.
Mr. Kelly said the NYPD and Secret Service were in discussions with the Iranian mission about the logistics for the possible visit, and whether it will take place at all. He said Mr. Ahmadinejad would not be allowed to descend into the pit for safety reasons related to ongoing construction there.