3 posts tagged “ahmedinejad”

1. Why did the US media put you under so much pressure to prevent Mr. Ahmadinejad from delivering his speech at Columbia University? And why have American TV networks been broadcasting hours of news reports insulting our president while refusing to allow him the opportunity to respond? Is this not against the principle of freedom of speech?
2. Why, in 1953, did the US administration overthrow the Iran’s national government under Dr Mohammad Mosaddegh and go on to support the Shah’s dictatorship?
3. Why did the US support the blood-thirsty dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran, considering his reckless use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers defending their land and even against his own people?
4. Why is the US putting pressure on the government elected by the majority of Palestinians in Gaza instead of officially recognizing it? And why does it oppose Iran ’s proposal to resolve the 60-year-old Palestinian issue through a general referendum?
5. Why has the US military failed to find Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden even with all its advanced equipment? How do you justify the old friendship between the Bush and Bin Laden families and their cooperation on oil deals? How can you justify the Bush administration’s efforts to disrupt investigations concerning the September 11 attacks?
6. Why does the US administration support the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) despite the fact that the group has officially and openly accepted the responsibility for numerous deadly bombings and massacres in Iran and Iraq? Why does the US refuse to allow Iran ’s current government to act against the MKO’s main base in Iraq?
7. Was the US invasion of Iraq based on international consensus and did international institutions support it? What was the real purpose behind the invasion which has claimed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives? Where are the weapons of mass destruction that the US claimed were being stockpiled in Iraq?
8. Why do America’s closest allies in the Middle East come from extremely undemocratic governments with absolutist monarchical regimes?
9. Why did the US oppose the plan for a Middle East free of unconventional weapons in the recent session of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors despite the fact the move won the support of all members other than Israel?
10. Why is the US displeased with Iran’s agreement with the IAEA and why does it openly oppose any progress in talks between Iran and the agency to resolve the nuclear issue under international law?

Iranian Chancellors Questions - Fanonite Blog

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran - United Nations Press Conference Sept 25th 2007 - UN Video Archive

Q: In the light of the US Congress and pending French decisions concerning further sanctions against Iran, is the Nuclear Issue closed as a political issue?
A: The extended sanctions do not surprise us, but as far as we are concerned, the issue on a legal question, it is now an IAEA matter. In my opinion, my time here was not hard.

Q: Concerning academic freedoms, why is there so little academic freedom in Iran?
A: Open debate between Iranian president and students in Iran is common place. The academics mentioned in American media are still active in Iran and are not especially limited or restricted. For some legal issues common to all societies, some persons may appear before our independent judicial process in Iran.

Q: Concerning the president's comments about the IAEA as the only relevant agency, what about the Security Council
A: The sanctions by some global powers are completely illegal and their power is projected on others via the Security Council and by their veto rights within the Security Council. What is right for us to do is to cooperate with the IAEA and to resist.

Q: Nuclear facility in Syria attacked by Israel. What would Iran do if it were attacked
A: Next question please.

Q: What is Iran doing to curb climate change
A: We can reduce the consumption of fuel. All countries must commit to uphold the necessary standards to reduce harm to the environment.

Q: Iran's neighbours are concerned and the US has claimed that there is an Iranian military dissident, apparently a former defense minister who has evidence as to secret nuclear experiments in Iran.
A: These are propaganda games that are obsolete. We don;t have a defense minister who has left our country and neither are our neighbours concerned about the nuclear issue. The controversy is fabricated and illegal, even according to the IAEA report.

Q: Do you recognise Israel?
A: A usurpative illegal regime and the solution is based on humane concerns. We insist that the Palestinian nation must participate in a referendum to decide on their own fate. Palestinians, whether Muslims, Jewish or Christians, should decide without interference from others. As to the continued existence of Israel, let me ask how the Soviet Union is no more today?  The people themselves voted the Union out of existence.

Q: Concerning Iraq
A: Iran and Iraq have a long history of cooperation. Those others who have made mistakes are seeking to blame others for their own failures. The solution is to respect Iraqis and to engage that nation with respect.

Q: Concerning Columbia University and the long line of support for your comments at the General Assembly
A: The debate at the University meeting speaks for itself. The meeting was welcomed widely by students. We must all practice the capacity to listen to things we do not like.

Related:
60 Minutes Interview - CBS Video Archive

It isn't surprising that efforts on the part of Iran have been met with narrow minded responses by US government officials.

On the positive side, the United Nations has received a gift from Iran (hand-woven carpet) with appreciation.

I am sure that many people haven't had the opportunity to see these videos, so I am posting them here for you. The most important one I will post separately as the President has been misquoted so many times about that.

The first is the press conference at the UN last year. The entire video is available at the UN Video archive. In Iranian manner, similar to African culture, it takes some time for the speaker to get to the main points. We tend to set the mood first, so viewers are advised to watch the entire clip to understand his intentions.

This next video is part 1 of 4 parts. Those who have little time can scan the shortened speech I have typed out below.

Text extract of speech
It is evident that the behaviors of some powers constitutes the greatest challenge before the security council, the entire organization, and its affiliated agencies. The present structure and working methods of the security council, which are legacies of the second world war, are not responsive to the expectations of the current generation and the contemporary needs of humanity. Today, it is undeniable that the security council, most critically and urgently, needs legitimacy, and effectiveness. It must be acknowledged that as long as the council is unable to act on behalf of the entire international community, in a transparent, just and democratic manner, it will neither be legitimate, nor effective. Furthermore, the direct relation between the abuse of veto, and the erosion of the legitimacy and effectiveness of the council, has now been clearly and undeniably established.
We cannot and should not expect the eradication or even containment of injustice, imposition, and oppression without reforming the structure and working methods of the council. Is it appropriate to expect this generation to submit to the decisions and arrangements established over half a century ago? Doesn't this generation or future generations have the right to decide themselves about the world in which they want to live?
Justice and democracy dictate that the role of the General Assembly, as the highest organ of the United Nations, must be respected. The General Assembly can then, through appropriate mechanisms, take on the task of reforming the organization, and particularly rescue the security council from it's current state. In the interim, the Non-aligned Movement, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the African Continent, should each have a representative, as a permanent member of the security council, with veto powers. The resulting balance will hopefully prevent further trampling of the rights of nations.

It is essential that spirituality and ethics find their rightful place in international relations. Without ethics and spirituality contained in the light of the teachings of the divine prophets, justice, freedom and human rights cannot be guaranteed. Resolution of contemporary human crises lies in observing ethics and spirituality and the governance of righteous people of high competence and piety. Should respect for the rights of human beings become the predominant objective, then injustice, ill-temperament, aggression and war will fade away. Human beings are all God's creatures, and are all endowed with dignity and respect. No one has superiority over others. No individual or states can arrogate for themselves special privileges. Nor can they disregard the rights of others, and through influence and pressure, position themselves as "the international community".
All nations and states are entitled to peace, progress and security. We are all members of the international community and we are all entitled to insist on the creation of a climate of compassion, love and justice.


Peoples, driven by their divine nature, intrinsically seek good, virtue, perfection and beauty. Relying on our people's, we can take giant steps towards reform, and pave the road for human perfection. Whether we like it or not, justice, peace and virtue will sooner or later prevail in the world, with the will of the almighty God. It is imperative and also desirable, that we too should lead to the promotion of justice and virtue. The almighty and merciful God, who is the creator of the universe, is also it's Lord and Ruler. Justice is His command. He commands His creatures to support one another in good, virtue, and piety; and not in decadence and corruption. He commands His creatures to enjoin one another to righteousness and virtue; and not to sin and transgression.

All divine prophets, from the prophet Adam (peace be upon him) to the prophet Moses, to the prophet Jesus Christ, to the prophet Mohammed, have all called humanity to monotheism, justice, brotherhood, love and compassion. Is it not possible to build a better world based on monotheism, justice, love and respect for the rights of human beings; and thereby transform animosities into friendship? I emphatically declare that today's world, more than ever before, longs for just and righteous people with love for all humanity; and above all, longs for the perfect, righteous human being, and the real saviour who has been promised to all peoples and who will establish justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet.

Iran President UN 2006 Part 4

President Ahmadinejad has been asked by the Columbia State  University to address an audience there. The president of the senate of the university is quoted by the Associated Press (Sept 23rd):

President Lee Bollinger has resisted calls to cancel the event, but promised to introduce the talk himself with a series of tough questions on topics including Ahmadinejad's views on the Holocaust, his call for the destruction of the state of Israel and his government's alleged support of terrorism.

The university "is committed to confronting ideas — to understand the world as it is and as it might be," Bollinger said in a statement, emphasizing the invitation implied no endorsement of Ahmadinejad's opinions.

I am sure you hope along with me, for an uninterrupted listening to this person's response to such interesting questions. I have little doubt that the media in the most undemocratic nations will misquote him so many times that his real words will end up being unheard anyway. One of Hitler's side kicks is famous for saying that if a lie is repeated often enough it will become the truth. It's sickening when psychopaths are so correct in their observations that I have to agree. I am sure I will one day be quoted as in agreement with the Nazzis. Anyone who believes I am a nazzi will also say I am an anti-semite. To be frank, those who know, know. And those who don't, don't.