Germany Defends Decision to Give Iranian Vice-President Visa

The German government on Friday defended its decision to issue a visa to Iranian vice-president, Mohammed Aliabadi, to allow him to attend the World Cup. Government spokesman Thomas Steg said it was important "to distinguish" between the rhetoric of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the position of the vice-president, who also holds official sports functions. He said Berlin condemned Ahmadinejad's outbursts against Israel "in the strongest terms" but Aliabadi "has not personally made similar remarks." German police said Aliabadi is expected to attend the opening match featuring Germany against Costa Rica in the southern city of Munich on Friday before continuing on to nearby Nuremberg to watch Iran face Mexico on Sunday. Bavarian authorities have confirmed they will be providing security cover for Aliabadi even though he isn't on an official state visit.