Why Is Anyone Surprised By This?

Lula unenthusiastically offers asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery:

"I have to respect a country's laws, but if my friendship and regard I have for the president of Iran and the Iranian people is worth something, if this woman is causing discomfort, we could take her in in Brazil," he said.

I can understand Lula's interest in wanting to be willing to talk to all on any issue, but he's showing a bit of naivete here; principally the fact that Ahmed Ahmadinejad doesn't run Iran. All he had to do was google who runs Iran to get this.

In addition, it certainly seems like the quasi-official media in Iran is mocking Lula:

While no Iranian government officials commented on the Brazilian president’s plea, Jahan News, an ultraconservative news service in Iran that is regarded as credibly reflecting the government’s thinking, said Sunday that it was a “clear interference in Iran’s domestic affairs.”

Jahan also said that the Brazilian offer was made “under the influence of foreign media” and that the defendant, Sakineh Ashtiani, 43, might not be stoned to death because Iran’s judiciary was reviewing the lower court’s sentence. She could be hanged instead.

Memo to Lula: the government of Iran is brutal and repressive. It's the same sort of government you rebelled against in your own country. They've played you in the past and they just mocked you. Bear that in mind the next time they need a favor from you. Perhaps telling it like it is might be a better route to take in the future. He certainly

Comments

[pablo]

I'm inclined to cut Lula some slack here as we in the public do not see all the diplomatic machinations.

From what I've gathered Lula made the asylum offer during a campaign stop out on the hustings. Previously he rebuffed Amnesty International who had wanted him to intervene in this case.
He appears to have a change of heart.

We do not know if there have been formal diplomatic contacts made in Tehran for this womans emigration. The remarks in Jahan News clearly represent a faction within Iran and is indicative of an invitation to deal.
There are several hurdles, foremost being the decision of the appellant court. If her death sentence can be overturned or commuted then the internal political factions might begin political maneuvering so that a deal might be struck.
In Lula's favor there are trade deals and Brazil's ability to hamstring sanctions against Iran being spearheaded by the USA at the UN.
Lula's remarks on behalf of this woman made almost offhandedly while he was campaigning also smacks of international gamesmanship in that it sends a signal to factions within Iranian government who might be inclined to leverage political favors to win release could earn even more favorable treatment by Brazil at the UN and in trade.

Let's wait and see.