| Taken Questions Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC November 3, 2004 Question Taken at the November 3, 2004 Daily Press Briefing Iran: Librarian of Congress' Visit to IranQuestion: Why did Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington travel to Iran? Did he require approval to do so? Is it significant that this trip is occuring on the anniversary of the hostage-taking at the U.S. Embassy? Answer: Librarian of Congress, Dr. James Billington, was invited to Iran by his Iranian counterpart, Kazem Mousavi Bojnourdi.
The Administration approved Dr. Billington’s travel to Iran as consistent with U.S. policy of limited cultural exchange. Dr. Billington obtained the required license from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls. State Department officials briefed him prior to his departure.
It is purely coincidental that this meeting is occurring on the anniversary of the hostage-taking at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.
For further information about Dr. Billington’s program and its themes, we refer you to the Library of Congress.
2004/1189
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