Columbia University Professors Deny Iran Trip Report

Columbia University professors have denied a report in an Iranian propaganda outlet that a group was going to travel to Tehran to apologize to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for Lee Bollinger's treatment during Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University last year.

A report in the semi-official Iranian news agency, Mehr, claims that a delegation of professors from Columbia University are planning a trip to Tehran to apologize to President Ahmadinejad for critical remarks made by Columbia's president, Lee Bollinger, when Mr. Ahmadinejad visited Morningside Heights last year.

The report, which could not be confirmed and did not name any professors, said "the main goal of the visit is to meet the Iranian president and officially apologize to him."

Several Columbia professors yesterday denied the report.

The Middle East Institute's Gary Sick said there was no truth to the report. History Professor Richard Bulliet said he had not heard of it. "There is not intention on the part of the Columbia administration to authorize a delegation."