Input keystrokes to a VM console using a script or program

Does anyone know how to input keystrokes to a VM at its console from a script or program?  I don't want to use WinRunner or similar software together with the VMware console application since thsi would not be the best automation framework.

I've looked at the VMware Scripting API (COM and Perl) but I don't see a way to do this.  Am I missing something?

Specifically, I need to boot of VM from a CD \[ISO image] and then input a keystroke \[the Enter key].

Any ideas?

Ron