Debate Over Possible World Cup Visit by Iranian Leader

In the town of Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, preparations are in full swing for the World Cup, which kicks off in June. The Iranian national soccer squad will be quartered at one of the region's exclusive hotels and should Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad come to Germany to visit his country's players, he would be welcome -- here in Friedrichshafen, at least.

"The town's mayor, Herr Büchelmaier, has signalled that he would receive him in Friedrichshafen if he decided to come," said city official Peter Hauswald, saying current political issues would not be a topic of discussion.

German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble weighed in early on this subject, saying the Iranian president was welcome to come to the World Cup, like any other head of state, since Germany wanted to be a good host. But Ahmadinejad's controversial statements on sensitive issues, such as his denial of the Holocaust and repeated threats against Israel, have many of his critics saying a visit by him to Germany would be inappropriate. In one scenario, Ahmadinejad could watch the Iranian team play in Nuremberg, a city with a notorious Nazi past.

"He isn't welcome here," said Stephan J. Kramer of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. "At least, as long as he doesn't retract his comments, or at least qualify them." He added that his organization is puzzled at the interior minister's statements that Ahmadinejad is welcome.

Sports, not politics

Besides the controversy over the Iranian president's anti-Israel comments, there are tensions over Tehran's controversial nuclear program and its refusal to halt its uranium enrichment program, which western powers, and particularly the US, fear will be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Germany is now facing a delicate diplomatic situation and the government is trying to keep the political concerns separate from the sporting ones.

"[The interior minister] wanted to make clear the World Cup in Germany is a sporting event first and foremost, an event to be celebrated by the world's nations," Thomas Steg, a deputy government spokesman. "We should try to resist all attempts to exploit this event for political purposes."

Ahmadinejad presents himself in public as a soccer fan and some worry that he might use the World Cup as a platform to promote Tehran's agenda. But Sebastian Edathy, a Social-Democratic member of parliament, says despite the fact that the Iranian president is an unsympathetic figure for many, he has done nothing that would push Germany toward denying him entry into the country.

"He's a very unpleasant character, but he has not been convicted by international institutions or courts as a war criminal," he said. "He can come. Even if we don't want to see him here and would prefer that he stay at home."

Lukashenko not wanted

In contrast, the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. will not be able to travel to Germany. The European Union has banned him from entering the 25-nation bloc because the EU believes he rigged his country's presidential election last month.

The EU is now exploring the possibility of imposing a travel ban on Ahmadinejad because of his statements about the Holocaust.

Beate Rudolf, an expert in international law in Berlin, said that -- even as things stand now -- Germany isn't legally obliged to allow unwelcome guests into the country.

"Germany is not obliged to give reasons for granting or refusing to grant him permission to enter the country," she said. "The justifications behind a possible ban do not have to be made public. Berlin isn't obliged to soccer's top body FIFA to allow heads of state to enter the country. Germany is free to decide."

Disproportionate response?

If Ahmadinejad does visit Germany, Iranian exiles and human rights groups are expected to stage large protests. Neo-Nazis could exploit the opportunity to stage demonstrations.

The police are prepared for all eventualities and are keeping a close eye on the Iranian squad's World Cup quarters in Friedrichshafen.

While many are hoping the Iranian president will simply decide to stay away, including parliamentarian Edathy, fewer seem willing to advocate an outright ban.

"As long as Mr Ahmadinejad just talks rather than acts, I think there's no way of imposing an entry ban," he said. "I would find that disproportionate."