Word: afrasiabi
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...your article "Former Post-Doc Will Stand Trial" (News, Feb. 8, 1996), you tell readers that according to Dr. [Kaveh] Afrasiabi-the former post-doc in question-"[Mr. Afrasiabi's] arrest and upcoming pre-trial hearing... are the culmination of five years of feuding with Gurney Professor of History Roy P. Mottahedeh...
This statement is incorrect in two respects. I can hardly be said to be "feuding" with Dr. Afrasiabi when I have never replied, either privately or publicly, to the many intemperate letters, advertisements and telephone calls that he has directed towards me during these five years. In fact, this letter is the first time I have reacted to these messages, and I am doing so now only because the article contains misstatements of fact. Dr. Afrasiabi's account is also incorrect because I have no involvement whatsoever in his arrest and am still not fully aware of the details...
...clear misstatement of fact is Dr. Afrasiabi's assertion that six years ago I "called him to [my] office and told him he has to stop negotiations [for clemency for Salman Rushdie]" because I was concerned that Harvard, "as a result, would lose lucrative deals with Rushdie's opponents." In fact, I cannot recall ever criticizing Dr. Afrasiabi's political opinions on any matter whatsoever; open and divergent dialogue is a hallmark of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies...
...Director of the Center, however, I had responsibility for the integrity of affiliations to the Center; and in this capacity I grew concerned (and responded to the concerns of others) at the publication alongside Dr. Afrasiabi's name of titles misrepresenting his relation with Harvard University. I told Dr. Afrasiabi that he must make efforts to ensure that such misrepresentative titles no longer appear next to his name in published letters and articles. Unfortunately, titles such as "Assistant Professor, Harvard University," did continue to appear next to Dr. Afrasiabi's name...
Last fall, Afrasiabi filed a formal complaint against Mottahedeh with the Ethics Committee of the Mid-East Studies Association