Pelosi says Netanyahu speech to Congress could hurt Iran talks

[January 29, 2015]  PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled speech to the U.S. Congress in March could damage the Obama administration's attempts to broker a deal with Iran on nuclear weapons development, the senior U.S. House of Representatives Democrat said on Wednesday.

"Such a presentation could send the wrong message in terms of giving diplomacy a chance," said Representative Nancy Pelosi during a news conference on the sidelines of an annual retreat for Democratic lawmakers.

But Pelosi stopped short of saying that the invitation to Netanyahu should be withdrawn by House Speaker John Boehner.

Earlier this month Boehner invited Netanyahu to speak to a joint session of the House and Senate and the speech is scheduled for March 3, just two weeks before the Israeli leader stands for re-election on March 17.

Boehner, who did not consult with the White House before extending the invitation, has defended his surprise invitation.

A spokesman for Pelosi said she spoke by telephone on Wednesday with Netanyahu, but he did not provide further details.

"It's a serious big honor that we extend (to Netanyahu). That it should be extended two weeks before an election in the country without collaboration (with) the leaders in Congress and without collaboration with the White House is not appropriate," Pelosi said.

The Obama administration has been involved in protracted talks with Tehran on stemming Iran's ability to produce a nuclear weapon. It is hoping to wrap up those talks by the end of March.

Members of Congress have been threatening additional sanctions on Iran if a satisfactory deal is not reached.

(Reporting By Richard Cowan and David Lawder in Philadelphia and Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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