Marriott Nixes Iranian Celebration
There are certain celebrations that would be considered a faux pas in the nation's capital, considering U.S. foreign relations and post-Sept. 11, 2001, sensitivities. For instance, a potluck dinner commemorating the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddahs would probably be in bad taste. And if Jenna or Barbara showed up to a costume ball at Smith Point wearing swastika arm bands in honor of Eva Braun's birthday in the style of Prince Harry, that too would be greeted with great condemnation.
So too would be celebrating the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which plays a major role in underpinning the tensions that exist between the United States and the Muslim world. The AP, via WJLA, reports that Bethesda-based Marriott International has put a stop to an "event" at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center celebrating the Iranian Revolution. The event was organized by the Tehran's diplomatic representatives in Washington and was thwarted by a group planning to protest the event.
From the AP:
Marriott International cited federal law that forbids U.S. companies from working with the Iranian government as the reason.
Because of sanctions, Iran does not have an official diplomatic mission in Washington but through other channels, does maintain communications between Washington and Tehran.
Taiwan, which is not officially recognized by the United States because of the Taiwan Relations Act and the One-China Policy, maintains communications between Taipei and Washington via the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office up on Wisconsin Avenue near Tenleytown.
In case you were interested, the old Iranian Embassy in D.C. has been quiet since the revolution when it was seized by the U.S. government. But the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains an office in Glover Park at 2209 Wisconsin Ave., just up the street from a Chinese diplomatic annex, abutting the Naval Observatory compound of Vice President Cheney ( ... right near where Paris Hilton was spotted at SomaFit.).
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(Image of Ayatollah Khomeini from Wikipedia)