Ahmadinejad interview on CBS

jonny72

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3289581n&channel=/elements/2007/09/23/60minutes/videoarchive3289424_1_videosection_page.shtml

If you ask me, its a pity the US reporters are too timid to ask their own president these kind of questions..

Manic Moran

If you get a chance, watch Columbia University President's introduction on youtube before reading up on it. Almost jaw-dropping.

NTM

User45701

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhcwsnmhaugb/

Thought this was quite good, he is a person you would love to have a good debate with

Dave!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxBEo7DbrsI

Fairly whithering indeed!

RedPlanet

I think it's encouraging, that he spoke and experienced such a hostile reception.
Sometimes it seems Iranian leaders are geniunely naive about how they are perceived abroad.
Iran at times is very cut-off from the rest of the world and that is something that hurts everyone. Reading about the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the student leaders always presumed the American people would/were supportive, they just couldn't believe that American's didn't identify with them and their struggle for self-determination.

sovtek

Manic Moran wrote:

If you get a chance, watch Columbia University President's introduction on youtube before reading up on it. Almost jaw-dropping.

NTM

Yes Bollinger was jaw droppingly arrogant, ignorant and hypocritical.

Sesshoumaru

I love how he denied there were homosexuals in Iran. I guess since they hang gays he might be right?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2176958,00.html

Manic Moran

Must...ignore...trolling...comment...

oscarBravo

Manic, don't accuse others of trolling, thanks.

Sesshoumaru, don't troll, thanks.

lostexpectation

I think bollinger was overcompensating, I wouldn't have invited the guy in the first place, but I do think those raining on Iran are in a bit of an outrage competition for their purposes.


there was good discussion going on strangley on the youtube comments will the
event encourage more people to find out for themselves if an attack on Iran would be based on lies or truth? I mean what does one do to dictators.

Ahmadinejad seemed to handle it very well, I just hope the Iranian people can progress themselves without becoming puppets of the USA, along with the people in Burma, Tibet, Sudan Zimbabwe Palestine etc etc

its strange Iraq was part of the UN wasn't it when was the last time saddam spoke at the UN in newyork?

odonnell

ive watched through all of Ahmadinejad's answers and the only question going through my head here is "is he sincere?".

i just want to know how much of what he is saying is 'what we want to hear' and how much of it is fact. Is it possible we see this man and the Iranian government in a light cast FOR us by our own governments and media? Ive no doubt in my mind that public hangings are wrong, stonings are wrong, religious segregation is wrong etc etc etc ... but then I wonder who am i to force what I believe to be wrong upon someone else...?

Its hard to get a true picture of what really is true here...does anyone else care to take a stab at it?

Dirk Gently

DaveMcG wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxBEo7DbrsI

Fairly whithering indeed!

Fairly cringe worthy imo.

I'm finding it difficult to distinguish between what he accuses Ahmadinejad of, with what goes on in the US. Fair points if the purpose of the debate wasn't to point out stuff that Americans find unacceptable. If the point was that such things should be universally unacceptable then fair enough but I don't think that was the message. I think maybe the speaker was covering himself from a backlash of protests over allowing Ahmadinejad to speak at the university. (Either that or he is genuinely misguided or deliberately misleading his audience).

I suppose he did qualify his rant by saying "we have not been shy to criticise our own governments failures".

odonnell

I think he did a good job of representing the view of the people.

Not MY view... but it looks like, from all experience anyone really has of the american standpoint, it looks like he said what they wanted him to say - ahab and the white whale.

Its entirely possible he is of the same stance on these matters as the greater american body in that Iran is bad, America is good, Communism is bad (even though there are communist states who seem to work just fine) and Democracy is good (even though 51% isnt democracy its mob rule).

So, yeah - cringe worthy, but very possibly a fair reflection of the media fueled concensus view in America?

Im new to political discussions, i stand to be corrected and educated of course!

moe_sizlak

you have to take into account that bollinger took a huge amount of stick for inviting the iranian president to speak at columbia in the 1st place
fox news have been on the war path over this , this past week , it was hilarious how when fox news interviewed those students who were opposed to his appearance ( they didnt show any student who was in favour) almost all of them were jewish complete with skull cap

its not surprising fox would go into over drive in there demonisation of the iranian presideent , just a few weeks ago , a journalist from a lesser known american newspaper wrote how dick cheney had ordered a pr blitz for an attack on iran to begin after labour day in the u.s . all the usual suspects were to be involved , the weekly standards , the new york post and of course the republican party,s chief propoganda machine FOX NEWS
according to the article , the white house feels they only need about 40% support to launch an attack on iran , considering that almost everyone who watches fox news are republican voters and republican voters make up half of the electorate , chances of an attack are growing steadily

odonnell

I would think that the civil and sensible person in us would wish to sit down and actively seek a conversation with the Iranian president... I would never object to him speaking here, or Strathclyde University say as im a firm believer in talking in order to understand what someone, or their regime, is all about.

I get the impression that nobody really knows for sure what Iran is all about just now since the only real reports we have to go on are those of the propoganda machine as you put it. It concerns me that people would be willing, or indifferent on the subject of going to war with a country based on nothing more than bias reporting of a media company.

This guy should be invited to MORE forums and given the chance to either A) convince people his intentions are good and that hes actually been misrepresented to us by our own people, or show himself for the war mongering hitler-MkII that they say he is.

He certainly seems to WANT this opportunity to speak, thats for sure. what will come of it though. I found myself nodding with a few of those things he said in the Columbia interview, but i seriously wonder if we were being fed what he knew we wanted to hear.

wes

I doubt Iran is making Nuclear weapons, its a possibility sure, but I don't think there is enough info to justify a war. Hell, even if they were making Nuclear weapons, its a bit much of the US/UK/French axis to complain considering at least 2 of those nations are working on upgrading there own nuclear arsenal. Strikes me as the pot calling the kettle black. Also, it should be noted that the recent illegal invasion of Iraq, hardly fills me with trust when it come to the US/UK axis.

Secondly, Adminjaed (a repugnant person to be sure), is no Hitler, he is no dictator, he isn't in charge in his country, that would be the Supreme Leader (you would think with a name like that people would know who is really in charge).

So a lot of the crap against Adminjaed is just bull ****, the guy isn't a dictator due to the simple fact that he isn't really the one in charge, I would expect the president of the University to know this before calling him one, or is the title of Supreme leader not clear enough for some people? Honestly it made him out to be at best mis-informed. Now I do agree with everything else he said about Adminjaed, but just because Adminjaed is a horrible person is no excuse to state blatant false hoods.

Finally the Iran, which has some terrible human rights abuses and should be condemned for that and I fully agree with the condemnation of there abuses, but I do not think its a good case for war. I have read that even the Iranian opponents to the regime want no outside help and that an attack would help the regime, as the nation would be swept up in a jingoistic frenzy, similar to that which has been seen in Western nations. We should help the opponents of the regime within Iran, not attack there country and harm there cause. I know for some people doing nothing may not seem like helping, but the people who we should ally ourselves with in Iran say it would be counter productive to interfere and I agree with them on that.

donaghs

wes wrote:

I doubt Iran is making Nuclear weapons, its a possibility sure, but I don't think there is enough info to justify a war. Hell, even if they were making Nuclear weapons, its a bit much of the US/UK/French axis to complain considering at least 2 of those nations are working on upgrading there own nuclear arsenal. Strikes me as the pot calling the kettle black.

Every state that wants power and influence wants the Bomb - India, Pakistan, Apartheid South Africa, Israel, Iran, North Korea. Iraq and Libya made attempts at it too.

US/UK & France? The victors of WWII created the United Nations and the Nuclear situation thereafter, and the rest of the UN signed up to this. Isn't it blindingly obvious that its more important that no more countries get the Bomb than they deal with theirs. There's been no use of these weapons since Nagasaki. I'd expect the present Iranian leadership to fling these weapons the first chance they get.

wes

donaghs wrote:

US/UK & France? The victors of WWII created the United Nations and the Nuclear situation thereafter, and the rest of the UN signed up to this. Isn't it blindingly obvious that its more important that no more countries get the Bomb than they deal with theirs. There's been no use of these weapons since Nagasaki. I'd expect the present Iranian leadership to fling these weapons the first chance they get.

I doubt they would. There nuts, but they like ruling over a country. I will reiterate it smacks of hypocrisy for nations, building more nuclear weapons, than anyone else to say to anyone else that they can't have them. Also, there more than willing to make exceptions to the rules whenever they feel like, for other nations that shouldn't have nuclear weapons. So if they at least applied the rules fairly, I would find there hypocrisy palatable, but they don't.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i thought it was pretty funny that when he was talking about how useless the bomb was in international affairs he didn't even mention north korea, and neither did the interviewer..which I thought was strange

of course it's possible I had a stroke and missed all mention of it

odonnell

Whilst there can be hypocrisy in the notion of dictating to someone what they can and cant be allowed to do - the world wars helped develop weapons out of necessity - now they are arguably no longer necessary yet we cant UNinvent them - should other countries be allowed to pursue a weapon that is deemed so terrible that everyone wishes it hadnt been invented at all? whilst i see the vague hypocrisy in saying "no, we have them, but we wont let you have them", i cant for the life of me agree with you Wes that these decisions are made willy nilly, nor whenever ANYONE 'feels like it'.

The rules were made by people who agreed to follow them - one of the countries to have signed UP to these rules is.... IRAN.

The question isnt whether or not we think they should have nuclear weapons, that was never relevant - the question is, "are they developing them, or trying to develop them, when they signed up to a treaty stating they wouldnt - are they lying to us, and if so - why!??"

Thats the question, and there in lies the danger. Theres no hypocrisy in suspecting youre being lied to in good faith.

The other way to view it is to think of the world as a huge neighbourhood with a few disruptive families. All the families who wish to live in peace will not put up with the disruptive ones, hence - if the disruptive ones want to live problem free and integrate with the entire neighbourhood - they need to prove they wont be bullying our kids, causing trouble with our neighbours, or letting their dogs crap on our lawn. Theres nothing hypocritical about the decent many standing up to the vile few. Obviously, im not saying the UK or the US are flawless angels when it comes to their governments, but the international community cant allow 1 state to dictate the actions of the many, nor can they allow 1 state to be an aggressor - surely?

wes

odonnell wrote:

Whilst there can be hypocrisy in the notion of dictating to someone what they can and cant be allowed to do - the world wars helped develop weapons out of necessity - now they are arguably no longer necessary yet we cant UNinvent them - should other countries be allowed to pursue a weapon that is deemed so terrible that everyone wishes it hadnt been invented at all? whilst i see the vague hypocrisy in saying "no, we have them, but we wont let you have them", i cant for the life of me agree with you Wes that these decisions are made willy nilly, nor whenever ANYONE 'feels like it'.

The rules were made by people who agreed to follow them - one of the countries to have signed UP to these rules is.... IRAN.

The question isnt whether or not we think they should have nuclear weapons, that was never relevant - the question is, "are they developing them, or trying to develop them, when they signed up to a treaty stating they wouldnt - are they lying to us, and if so - why!??"

Thats the question, and there in lies the danger. Theres no hypocrisy in suspecting youre being lied to in good faith.

There is still no proof Iran is developing weapons. Hell, the UN resolution is punishing Iran for something there allowed to do under the treaty they signed up for. The US is looking for a new enemy in the Middle East. There not above blatant lies themselves. Iran is not exactly trustworthy as well, but the the US/UK axis has shown itself to be untrustworthy with cases exactly like this and seem to be more interested in there war mongering plans for the Middle East and the worlds last oil resources, more than anything else. As for the treaty the Iranians could easily pull out anytime they wanted to and they haven't. They even offered a deal in 2003 which the US rejected which would have settled this mess a long time ago. The US/UK axis is looking for a new fight.

Dr_Teeth

Obviously he's the president of an islamic republic, so I don't agree with him on a lot of things like civil liberties and religion.. but calling him a "petty dictator" was just laughable. He heads easily the most democratic country in the gulf region.. in stark contrast to all the "kingdoms" that the Americans are such pals with.

It's also funny how much flak he's getting for his comment on homosexuals.. you can bet there are legions of right-wingers in the states who'd dearly love to be able to say there were no gay people in their country too!

odonnell

wes wrote:

There is still no proof Iran is developing weapons. Hell, the UN resolution is punishing Iran for something there allowed to do under the treaty they signed up for. The US is looking for a new enemy in the Middle East. There not above blatant lies themselves. Iran is not exactly trustworthy as well, but the the US/UK axis has shown itself to be untrustworthy with cases exactly like this and seem to be more interested in there war mongering plans for the Middle East and the worlds last oil resources, more than anything else. As for the treaty the Iranians could easily pull out anytime they wanted to and they haven't. They even offered a deal in 2003 which the US rejected which would have settled this mess a long time ago. The US/UK axis is looking for a new fight.

I do actually agree with what youre saying, im just arguing the point that whilst vaguely hypocritical - its also necessary to stop nuclear weapon proliferation. Just my opinion like....

Id like to think the UKs part in all this wasnt fueled by oil reserves and the like. I prefer to think we (im british by the way) got roped along with the US in one of them "and you call yourselves our closest allies....prove it" kind of situations.

Tony Blair - nice guy im sure, but no backbone.

wes

odonnell wrote:

I do actually agree with what youre saying, im just arguing the point that whilst vaguely hypocritical - its also necessary to stop nuclear weapon proliferation. Just my opinion like....

I agree that limiting as much as possible the people allowed to have nuclear weapons is a good idea, but in this case, it really seems to be motivated by something besides nuclear weapons. Basically its smacks as manufactured Casus Beilli for another war.

odonnell

I suspect so. Ive always thought our intelligence services were far better than to make a quite blatant and obvious mistake in saying there were WMD's in IRAQ, or they had evidence that IRAQ was developing such weapons when it became clear there never WAS any such evidence.

Either the intelligence services arent so good and fed the government false information, or the government lied.

I know which i believe mate... and its scary to think they can go to war based on a lie and remain in power! Which, yes, raises the suspicions when it comes to Iran now, and N. Korea next?

theres far more to this story than any of us know, but i strongly doubt the Iranians are capable of causing us any grief other than by proxy. christ - their new fighter plane, just recently brought into service, is no better than the UKs planes of the 70's.... yet we believe them capable of destabilising the entire mid-east?

lostexpectation

there was motion put to the UN last week to call for nuclear free middle east a ban on testing and a removal of current nuclear weapons, it was put forward by arab countries and it was aimed at Israel, the only current holder of nukes.

ireland was the only eu country and one of the few western countries to vote for the motion, nice to see a bit of independence and reality from ireland on this issue.

this syria - NK weapons research thing is still a mystery...

lostexpectation

Mordeth wrote:

i thought it was pretty funny that when he was talking about how useless the bomb was in international affairs he didn't even mention north korea, and neither did the interviewer..which I thought was strange

of course it's possible I had a stroke and missed all mention of it

well they eventually came to the same conclusion as him after a bit of bribery?


thats good point about him not being the leader let alone dictator, no wonder he looked puzzled, mr educated rational university president looked a bit silly doesn't it.

Ahmadinejad isn't really playing the MAD game very well if he says he isn't developing nukes, is he? thats the main reason to have these weapons, thats how NK was playing it.

sovtek

wes wrote:

I agree that limiting as much as possible the people allowed to have nuclear weapons is a good idea, but in this case, it really seems to be motivated by something besides nuclear weapons. Basically its smacks as manufactured Casus Beilli for another war.

Lest we forget that the US and the UK have also not lived up their obligations under the NPT as well blatantly violating it. Bush is actually developing new nukes. So it is completely hypocritical to slate Iran and invading it's neighbor has made it more likely that Iran as well as other countries will want them. I say...get your own house in order before bombing someone else's.

sovtek

Here's a reaction to Bollinger completely rude, ignorant, arrogant and hypocritical speech presage to Ahmadinejad's appearance.
http://www.counterpunch.org/ross09252007.html

Pretty much sums up what I would say about it.

ceidefields

Here's a much better quote from Ahmadinejad:

"And to the rest of the Columbia University students: What was with the uncomfortable silence after my joke about nuclear weapon-seeking leaders being retards? Was there a translation issue? That joke kills in Iran! Then again, in Iran, there does not exist the phenomenon of retards. In America, I hear that you have one as your leader! Hahahahaha!!! (In Iran, there would be immense laughter.) I want to go home."

Manic Moran

lostexpectation wrote:

Ahmadinejad isn't really playing the MAD game very well if he says he isn't developing nukes, is he? thats the main reason to have these weapons, thats how NK was playing it.

Doesn't it make more sense to say you don't have them, until you do? then you're presenting a fait accomplit.

NTM

Mick86

lostexpectation wrote:

Ahmadinejad isn't really playing the MAD game very well if he says he isn't developing nukes, is he?

You cannot Assure the Destruction of your enemy until you actually have nukes. Telling your enemy that you will Assuredly Destroy him as soon as you have nukes is a sure and certain way of Assuring your own Destruction during the development process.

gbh

Compared to the Neo-cons who destroyed Iraq and are directly responsible for 100,000's of deaths of innocent civilians, the guy is a saint. Would I trust him more than the Neo-Cons? Absolutely.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Good info on the destruction of Israel quote

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mScWWtRfGQ

karen3212

lostexpectation wrote:

there was motion put to the UN last week to call for nuclear free middle east a ban on testing and a removal of current nuclear weapons, it was put forward by arab countries and it was aimed at Israel, the only current holder of nukes.

ireland was the only eu country and one of the few western countries to vote for the motion, nice to see a bit of independence and reality from ireland on this issue.

this syria - NK weapons research thing is still a mystery...

Yeah, good, we shifted to stand a little, but are we going to stand up if they continue to use our airport to destroy other countries around the world.

I must say I am way more afraid of the US than any other country in the world. I also notice that the BBC are getting v anti-iran these days as well. It was a huge shock to me, I noticed a quick turn in their reporting on the issues with Iran.

Hobbes

Sesshoumaru wrote:

I love how he denied there were homosexuals in Iran.

That bit reminded me of a funny incident. My cousin is about as camp as they come (hits all the stereotypes, not sure if intentional or not).

He was having a discussion with my mother-in-law some years back (being translated). Went something like this.

Cuz: So are there any gays in Korea?
MiL: No there isn't.
Cuz: There must be at least one?
MiL: No. There are no gays in Korea.
Cuz: Maybe they just keep it quiet?
MiL: No. People would know.
Cuz: What if someone said it to their parents?
MiL: They wouldn't because there are no gays in Korea.

It went on like that for a while. Eventually she asked why he was asking all the questions. So he lied and said he was doing a paper on it. Then he mentioned the gay scene in London at which point her face was "What the hell on earth have you people brought me to?".

Back to the speech, nothing new in it really.

As for turning Iran around to like the US. Isn't going to happen. The CIA helped overthrow an elected government years ago and installed a dictator. When he was thrown out the US then went and armed Irans enemies to help in attacking Iran. Now they are broadcasting they plan a 3 day bombing run on Iran of 1000's of targets.

I see also yesterday some bill passed in the Senate that allows Bush to attack Iran (HR1585. 75 - 23).

I had a read of the bill and it looked a bit like "Free kittens for Orphans" type bill. More likely to crucify anyonee in 2008 election who voted no on it.

Either the intelligence services arent so good and fed the government false information, or the government lied.

There is a good documentary on that (forget the name, came out around F911 movie). Basically the CIA told Bush administration there was nothing there before the war.

digitally-yours

Full text of President Ahmadinejad's address before UNGA


Full text of President Ahmadinejad's address before UNGA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

United Nations, New York, Sept 26, IRNA
UN-Iran-Ahmadinejad-Address
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran addressed the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly here. Ahmadinejad elaborated on the most important challenges faced by the world today and offered some solutions.

The following is the full text of the president's address:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

"Oh God, hasten the arrival of Imam Al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness"

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased and grateful to the Almighty to have the opportunity once again to attend this important universal forum.

In the present tumultuous world and with the predominance of loud outcries, threats and tensions, and at a time when the big powers are unable to solve present problems, when mistrust in regional and international arenas is on the rise, when the psychological security of societies is being targeted by an onslaught of political and propaganda designs, and disappointment prevails over efficacy of policies and actions of the international organizations in the establishment of a durable peace and security, and the protection of human rights is being weakened, I plan to touch upon and explain the roots of and the ways out of these predicaments and some of the principal challenges facing our world.

I will also speak to you about the need for remedying the present situation, prospects for a brighter and a more hopeful future, and about the appearance of the sublime and beauty, compassion and generosity, justice and blossoming of all the God-given human talents and the prominence of faith in God and realization of the promise of God.

I will then submit to your judgment the nuclear issue of Iran as a reality and testing ground for the measurement of honesty, efficacy, steadfastness and accomplishment. In the closing part of my statement, I will offer my proposals.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As you are all aware mankind is currently facing important, numerous and diverse challenges and I will refer to some of them.

1. Organized attempts to destroy the institution of family and to weaken the status of women.

Family is the most sacred and valuable human institution that serves as the center of the purest mutual love and affection amongst mothers, fathers and children, and as a safe environment for the nurturing of human generations, and a fertile ground for the blossoming of talents and compassion. This institution has always been respected by all peoples, religions and cultures.

Today we are witnessing an organized invasion by the enemies of humanity and plunderers to destroy this noble institution that is targeted by promoting lewdness, violence and by breaking the boundaries of chastity and decency.

The precious existence of women as the manifestation of divine beauty and as the peak of kindness, affection and purity has been the target of heavy exploitation in recent decades by the holders of power and the owners of media and wealth.

In some societies, this beloved human has been reduced to a mere instrument of publicity, and all the boundaries and protective shields of chastity, purity and beauty have been trampled. This is a colossal betrayal of human society, of succeeding generations, and an irreparable blow to the pillar of social coherence, the family.

2. Widespread violations of human rights, terrorism and occupation

Unfortunately human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates. Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments without any regard to due process, extensive tapping of telephone conversations, intercepting private mail, and frequent summons to police and security centers have become commonplace and prevalent. They prosecute scientists and historians for stating their opinions on important global issues.

They use various pretexts to occupy sovereign states and cause insecurity and division, and then use the prevailing situation as an excuse to continue their occupation. For more than sixty years, Palestine, as compensation for the loss they incurred during the war in Europe, has been under occupation of the illegal Zionist regime.

The Palestinian people have been displaced or are under heavy military pressure, economic siege or are incarcerated under abhorrent conditions. The occupiers are protected and praised, while the innocent Palestinians are subjected to political, military and propaganda onslaughts.

The people of Palestine are deprived of water, electricity and medicine for the sin of asking for freedom, and the government that was freely elected by the people is targeted.

Terrorists are being organized to attack the lives and property of people with the blessings of the politicians and military officials of the big powers.

The brutal Zionists carry out targeted assassinations of Palestinians in their homes and cities, and terrorists are decorated with medals of peace and receive support from the big powers. On the other hand they gather a number of Jews from different parts of the world through false propaganda and with the promise of providing them with welfare, jobs and food, and settle them in the occupied territories, exposing them to the harshest restrictions, psychological pressures and constant threats. They prevent these people from returning to their homelands and by coercion and propaganda induce them to malevolence toward the indigenous Palestinian people.

Iraq was occupied under the pretext of overthrowing a dictator and the existence of weapons of mass destruction. The Iraqi dictator who had been supported by the same occupiers was disposed of, and no weapons of mass destruction were discovered, but the occupation continues under different excuses.

No day passes without people being killed, wounded or displaced, and the occupiers not only refuse to be accountable and ashamed of their adventure, but speak in a report of a new market for their armaments as the result of their military venture. They even oppose the constitution, National Assembly and the government established by the vote of the people, while they do not even have the courage to declare their defeat and exit Iraq.

Unfortunately we are witnessing the bitter truth that some powers do not value any nation or human beings, and the only things that matter to them are themselves, their political parties and groups. In their view, human rights are tantamount to profits for their companies and their friends. The rights and the dignity of American people are also being sacrificed for the selfish desires of those holding power.

3- Aggressions against indigenous cultures and national values.

Culture is the manifestation of identity and the key to the survival of nations and the foundation for their interaction with others. In an organized movement, indigenous cultures that are messengers of monotheism, love and fraternity are being subjected to broad and destructive aggressions.

National customs and values are humiliated and the self-esteem and character of nations are ridiculed and defamed . The purpose is to promote blind emulations, consumerism, skepticism toward God and human values, and the plundering of the peoples' wealth by big powers.

4. Poverty, illiteracy, healthcare issues and the gap between the poor and the rich

While a major part of the natural environment in Asia, Africa and Latin America is being plundered by the political and economic domination of certain powers, the situation of poverty and deprivation is very alarming. Let me draw your attention to some data issued by the United Nations:

- Every day close to 800 million people go to bed hungry and about 980 million suffer from absolute poverty, with less than one dollar a day in purchasing power.

- People of 31 countries, equivalent to 9 percent of the world's population, have an average life expectancy of 46 years, which is 32 years less than the average of developed countries.

- The gap between the rich and the poor in some parts of the world has increased by forty times.

- In many countries, the majority of the people are deprived of access to education and schooling.

- In developing countries, the maternal mortality rate during pregnancy is 450 per 100,000. This ratio is 7 in the richer nations and the ratio of mortality of new births is 59 for developing countries and 6 for the richer nations.

- One-third of deaths in the world, or 50,000 persons daily, result from poverty.

I believe this data clearly demonstrates the tragic situation dominating economic interactions in the world.

5. Ignoring noble values and the promotion of deception and lies.

Some powers sacrifice all human values including honesty, purity and trust for the advancement of their goals. They propagate skepticism and deception in the relations between states and peoples.

They lie openly, level baseless charges against others, act contrary to legal norms and damage the climate of trust and friendship.

They openly abandon morality and noble values in their relations with others, and substitute selfishness, supremacy, enmity and imposition, for justice, respect for others, love, affection and honesty. They sacrifice all the good things and the sublime in life for their own greed.

6. Violations of rules of international law and disrespect of commitments

Some who were themselves the drafters of international law openly and easily violate it and apply discriminatory policies and double standards to others. They drafted disarmament regulations, but every day test and stockpile new generations of lethal weapons.

They framed the Charter of the United Nations, but show disrespect to the right of self-determination and independence of sovereign nations. They conveniently abrogate their formal treaties, and do not yield to laws concerning protection of the environment. Most of the violations of international obligations are committed by a few global powers.

7- Escalation of threats and the Arms Race

Some powers, whenever their logic fails, simply use the language of threat. The huge arms race casts a shadow of threat over the globe.

The nations of Europe were the victims of two world wars and a number of other devastating conflicts and were subjected to the consequences of the Cold War for many decades.

Today Europeans are living under the shadow of threat, and their interests, security and lands are endangered under shadow of the arms race imposed by certain big powers.

A bullying power allows itself the right to set up a missile system, makes the life of the peoples of a continent bitter, and lays the ground for arms race.

Some rulers who superficially appear to be powerful believe the tools they have at hand can be used at any time and for any purpose and consequently threaten others and cast the shadow of insecurity over nations and regions.

8. Inefficacy of international mechanisms in addressing these challenges and in restoring durable peace and security.

International organizations and mechanisms clearly lack the capacity to overcome problems and challenges, to put in place fair and just relations and peace, fraternity and security.

There is hardly any government or nation that places much hope in these mechanisms to secure its rights or defend its independence, territorial integrity and national interests.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

There are many more challenges than the ones I have enumerated and I know that one would have introduced more if one had wanted to touch upon them, but I chose to confine myself to the ones I have stated.

Now the important and decisive question concerns the roots and causes of these challenges. A scientific and careful analysis shows that the root of the present situation lies in two fundamental factors.

Without doubt, the first factor lies in the relations arising from the consequences of the Second World War. The victors of the war drew the roadmap for global domination and formulated their policies not on the basis of justice but for ensuring the interests of the victors over the vanquished nations. Therefore mechanisms arising from this approach and related policies have not been capable of finding just solutions for global problems since 60 years ago.

Some big powers still behave like the victors of the World War and regard other states and nations, even those that had nothing to do with the war, as the vanquished, and humiliate other nations and demand extortion from a condescending position similar to that of the master/servant relationship of the medieval ages.

They believe that they should have more rights than others and also are not accountable to any international organization.

Mr. President,

Among all the inefficient bodies, unfortunately, the UN Security Council ranks first. They have created circumstances in which some powers with exclusive and the special right to veto in the Security Council act as prosecutor, judge and executioner, regardless of being a defendant or respondent.

It is natural that countries that have been subjected to those powers' infringements of their rights have no hope in getting what they deserve from the Council.

Unfortunately, humanity has witnessed that in all long wars, like the Korean and Vietnam wars, the war of the Zionists against the Palestinians and against Lebanon, the war of Saddam against the people of Iran and the ethnic wars of Europe and Africa, one of the members the Security Council was one of the belligerents or supported one party against the other, usually the aggressor, or the conflict itself.

Let's look at Iraq. They first occupied the country and then received authorization from the Security Council, the same Council in which the same occupiers have the right of veto. Who should the people of Iraq complain about and to where should they take their complaints with hopes of securing their rights?

We saw in Lebanon that some powers, for a long thirty three days, prevented the Security Council from taking any action against the Zionist regime with the hope of giving time to the regime to achieve victory. However, when they became disappointed in seeing their hopes unfulfilled, they decided to cease the hostility by adopting a resolution.

But the duty of the Security Council is to prevent the expansion of conflicts, to put in place ceasefires and to promote peace and safety. To whom and to what organization should the people of Lebanon complain?

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The presence of some monopolistic powers has prevented the Security Council from performing its main duty which is the maintenance of international peace and security based on justice. The credibility of the Council has been tarnished and its efficacy in defending the rights of UN member states has been undermined. Many nations have lost their confidence in the Council.

Some other mechanisms, such as the monetary and banking mechanisms, are in the same undesirable situation and have been turned into tools for the imposition of the wishes of some powers on other nations. It is evident that these mechanisms are not capable of responding to current needs and solving challenges and establishing fair and sustainable relations.

Dear Colleagues,

Again, there is no doubt that the second and more important factor is some big powers' disregard of morals, divine values, the teachings of prophets and instructions by the Almighty God, as well as the rule of the incompetent. How can the incompetent who cannot even manage and control themselves, rule humanity and arrange its affairs? Unfortunately they have put themselves in the position of God! They are in servitude to their own whims, and they desire to have everything for themselves. For them, human dignity and the lives, properties, and territories of others are no longer respected.

Humanity has had a deep wound on its tired body caused by impious powers for centuries. Today, the problems that people around the world face are mainly rooted in the disregard of human values and ethics and also in the rule of the selfish and incompetent.

Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The only sustainable way to the betterment of mankind is the return to the teachings of the divine prophets, monotheism, respect for the dignity of humans and the flow of love and affection in all relationships, ties and regulations, and to reform the present structures on this basis.

To fulfill this objective, I invite everybody to form a front of fraternity, amity and sustainable peace based on monotheism and justice under the name of "Coalition for Peace", to prevent incursions and arrogance and to promote the culture of affection and justice.

I hereby announce that with the help of all independent, justice-seeking and peace-loving nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran will be heading down this path.

Monotheism, justice and compassion for humans should dominate all the pillars of the UN and this organization should be a forum for justice, and every member should enjoy equal spiritual and legal support.

The General Assembly, as the representative of the international community, shall be considered as the most important pillar of the UN in order to, free from any pressure and threats by big powers, take required measures for the reforming of the UN structures, and especially change the present status of the Security Council and define new structures based on justice and democracy with the purpose of becoming responsive to the present requirements and to be able to settle existing challenges leading to the establishment of an enduring stability and security.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

The nuclear issue of Iran is a clear example of how such mechanisms perform and the prevailing thoughts behind them. You are all aware that Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and has always observed its rules and regulations and has had the most extensive cooperation with this Agency in all areas. All our nuclear activities have been completely peaceful and transparent.

According to the Statute of the IAEA, any member has a number of rights and obligations. In fact, all members have to stay on a peaceful path and, under the supervision of the Agency assist other members, and they are entitled to be supported by the Agency and have access to the fuel cycle with the help of the Agency and its members.

Thus far, Iran has fulfilled all of its obligations but has been deprived of other members' technical assistance and, even at times, of the Agency's support. For about 5 years, some of the aforementioned powers have, by exerting heavy pressure on the IAEA, attempted to prevent the Iranian nation from exercising its rights.

They have derailed Iran's nuclear issue from its legal tracks, and have politicized the atmosphere to impose their wishes through taking advantage of all their potentials.

The government of Iran spared no effort to build confidence, but they were not satisfied with anything short of the complete halt of all activities, even those related to research and university fields.

They were only after depriving the Iranian people of all their inalienable rights, even to the extent that those centers not involved in the fuel cycle or not in need of supervision by the Agency were closed.

After three years of negotiations and attempts to build confidence, the Iranian nation came to the firm belief that the main concern of these powers is not the possible deviation of Iran's nuclear activities, but is to prevent its scientific progress under this pretext.

And, if this trend continues there will be no possibility for Iran to enjoy its rights, not even in the next 20 years. Therefore, Iran decided to pursue the issue through its appropriate legal path, one that runs through the IAEA, and to disregard unlawful and political impositions by the arrogant powers.

In the last two years, abusing the Security Council, the arrogant powers have repeatedly accused Iran and even made military threats and imposed illegal sanctions against it. However, by the grace of faith in God and national unity, Iran has moved forward step by step and now our country is recognized as one with the capacity for industrial scale fuel cycle production for peaceful uses.

Unfortunately, the Security Council, in dealing with this obvious legal issue, was influenced by some bullying powers and failed to uphold justice and protect the rights of the Iranian people.

Fortunately, the IAEA has recently tried to regain its legal role as supporter of the rights of its members while supervising nuclear activities. We see this as a correct approach adopted by the Agency.

Previously, they illegally insisted on politicizing the Iranian nation's nuclear case, but today, because of the resistance of the Iranian nation, the issue is back to the Agency, and I officially announce that in our opinion the nuclear issue of Iran is now closed and has turned into an ordinary Agency matter.

Today many important questions have been raised about the nuclear activities of certain powers within the IAEA which should be dealt with properly. Of course Iran has always been and will be prepared to have constructive talks with all parties.

I would like to thank all the nations and countries that, during this difficult juncture, defended the legal rights of my nation and motherland and I also want to appreciate the members of the Non- Aligned Movement, our friends in the Security Council and in the IAEA's Board of Governors, the committed and law-abiding experts of the Agency and its Director-General for their standing by the law.

I would also like to announce that unlike the monopolistic powers, the Iranian nation is ready to offer to other members its experiences in the form of educational programs and based on its obligations under the Agency's Statute and under its supervision.

Now I would like to address those who have shown hostility towards the Iranian nation for about five years; offended and accused my people who have contributed to the history and civilization of the world, and I advise them to learn from history and their recent actions.

They badly mistreated the Iranian nation but they should be careful not to inflict the same on other members of international organizations, and not to sacrifice the dignity of international organizations for the sake of their unlawful wishes. Today the nations of the world are wide awake and resistant. If you reform yourselves, the whole world will be reformed.

Nations are inherently good and can co-exist peacefully.

They should endeavor to serve their own people; others that do not need them. Is it not high time for these powers to return from the path of arrogance and obedience to Satan to the path of faith in God?

Would they not like to be cleansed of their impurities, submit to the will of God and believe in Him?

Faith in God means believing in honesty, purity, justice and compassion for others!

They can be certain that they will benefit from purity, honesty, justice, and loving and respecting the human dignity. They can also be certain that such values are more and more considered appropriate, valuable and beautiful by the nations of the world.

This is the invitation of all the divine prophets from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Chris, and Mohammed (PBUH).

If they accept this invitation, they will be saved and if they don't, the same calamities that befell the people of the distant past will befall them as well. According to the holy Quran:

"One who does not answer the divine call should not think that he has weakened God on earth; he has no companion but God and he is clearly engulfed by darkness".

They have nothing of their own and cannot escape from the dominion of the rule of God and His will.

In this important gathering, I have to remind them of the following words of the Almighty which have been mentioned in the Holy Quran:

"Do they not look at the powers and governments which came before them? If the people of the past had actually possessed something, they would have kept it and would not have let you possess it now.

God destroyed them because of their sins and nobody could protect them against the will of God".

They have to know that thoughts and methods based on oppression and injustice are doomed to failure. Do they not see the signs of vigilance and resistance based on monotheism, philanthropy and the justice-seeking spirit of the nations of the world? Do they not notice that we are nearing the sunset of the time of empires? I hope that this invitation will have a practical answer.

Excellencies,

Peoples and governments are not obliged to obey the injustice of certain powers. These powers, because of the reasons already mentioned, have lost the competence to lead the world.

I officially declare that the age of relations arising from the Second World War as well as materialistic thoughts based on arrogance and domination is well over now. Humanity has passed a perilous precipice and the age of monotheism, purity, affinity, respecting others, justice and true peace-loving has commenced.

It is the divine promise that the truth will be victorious and the earth will be inherited by the righteous. You, who are free, believers, and the people of the world, put your trust in God.

You, who crave high values, wherever you are, try to prepare the grounds for the fulfillment of this great divine promise by serving the people and seeking justice.

The era of darkness will end, prisoners will return home, the occupied lands will be freed, Palestine and Iraq will be liberated from the domination of the occupiers, and the people of America and Europe will be free of the pressures exerted by the Zionists.

The tender-hearted and humanity-loving governments will replace the aggressive and domineering ones. Human dignity will be regained.

The pleasing aroma of justice will permeate the world, and people will live together in a brotherly and affectionate manner.

Striving in this way to surrender rule to the righteous and Perfect Human, the Promised One, is indeed the final cure for the wounds of humanity, the solution of all problems, and the establishment of love, beauty, justice and a dignified life all over the world.

This belief and endeavor is the key to unity and the constructive interaction among nations, countries, the people of the world and all the true justice-seekers.

Without any doubt, the Promised One who is the ultimate Savior, together with Jesus Christ and other holy Saviors, will come. In the company of all believers, justice-seekers and benefactors, he will establish a bright future and fill the world with justice and beauty.

This is the promise of God; therefore it will be fulfilled.

Let's play a part in the fulfillment of all this glory and beauty.

I wish for a bright future for all human beings and the dawn of the liberation of and freedom for all humans, and the rule of love and affection all around the world, as well as the elimination of oppression, hatred and violence. A wish which I expect will be realized in the near future.

Thank you

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2007/iran-070926-irna01.htm

odonnell

again, i just dont/cant know what to take from that....

aidan24326

donaghs wrote:

I'd expect the present Iranian leadership to fling these weapons the first chance they get.

Yeah sure, and guarantee the complete destruction of their own country in the process? The idea of having nuclear weapons now is as a deterrent. Whether they really are trying to develop nukes we don't know, one thing's for sure only a fool would believe anything the US/UK have to say about it after the Iraq WMD fiasco.

But did you actually think before you wrote that? Start 'flinging these weapons' where? At the US? At Isreal?(same as US) Hardly. Whatever Ahmadinejad may or not be, I doubt very much he wants to see his own country disappear in a gigantic mushroom cloud, something that would be 100% guaranteed were Iran to ever launch a nuclear attack at Israel or the US/UK.

The idea of having nuclear bombs now is self-protection. The US would be in much less hurry to fcuk around with Iran if Ahmadinejad was waving big fat megaton nukes at them.

sovtek

Manic Moran wrote:

Doesn't it make more sense to say you don't have them, until you do? then you're presenting a fait accomplit.

NTM

Does it also make sense that if someone is threatening to use nukes on you that you will tear your ass trying to get them?

odonnell

have to remember one simple thing here though lads before getting into the do they or dont they debate - if Iran DID have them....the UK and the US...pretty much the entirety of Europe, would have no reason whatsoever to be fearful of Iran sending ANYTHING their way - as to build a nuke is one thing....to deliver it is a whooooole other ball game.

Its a ball game the west is very good at, and Iran dont have the capability to play yet. So - no.... they wouldnt start flinging them around at us at any rate. The only reason we would be afraid of them acquiring them would be in the security of the technology, the materials, and the security of the region in which they may star behaving badly. Didnt Ahmadinejad recently say when we leave Iraq he would fill the vacuum that would be left? Or something of that effect?

They cant strike us, but they can bugger us up by proxy - THATS the fear in the west.

wes

odonnell wrote:

Its a ball game the west is very good at, and Iran dont have the capability to play yet. So - no.... they wouldnt start flinging them around at us at any rate. The only reason we would be afraid of them acquiring them would be in the security of the technology, the materials, and the security of the region in which they may star behaving badly. Didnt Ahmadinejad recently say when we leave Iraq he would fill the vacuum that would be left? Or something of that effect?

Of course Iran is gonna be pally with Iraq. There both majority Shia nations, a lot of Shia holy sites are located in Iraq. Right now the Iraq government is pro-Iran and they actually have very good relations. Iran wants a stable Iraq, the current situation with the Shia led government is exactly what they want.

odonnell

you dont reckon iran would march into iraq after the UK/US pull out?

wes

odonnell wrote:

you dont reckon iran would march into iraq after the UK/US pull out?

They wouldn't need too. The government there is an instant ally, no need to station troops there. The fear of Iran isn't just something Western nations have, its also Saudi Arabia and other Sunni nations not liking the idea of a Shia crescent being created in the Middle East, I have no doubts Saudi Arabia is egging the Americans on to take care of Iran as well.

Iraq and Iran are natural allies, there are already friendly relations. Iran will have influence over the Iraq government the moment the US/UK leave, hell they have some influence now, but it won't be a annexation or anything as a stable Iraq is very good for Iran.

odonnell

best thing we can do is divert all the weapons tech cash to alternative fuels and pull all our eggs out of the middle east asap. the whole thing was a mistake from the start.... theyve no interest in us, and we wouldnt even BE interfering if there wasnt any oil.

moe_sizlak

there are more often than not underlying reasons for wars , right now there is a pipeline being built through pakistan and on to india
india is becoming an economic power house and this pipeline would not only help to secure indias energy needs , it would boost irans economic situation
in order for an empire to remain top dog , it needs to make sure that other nations do not become to rich , that iran is not a friendly nation to the usa is even more reason why they would not want this project to go ahead
on top of that iran has been talking about trading there oil in euros as opposed to dollars , not a lot of people know this but prior to the iraq invasion in 2003 , sadamm was also talking about trading in euros
this would of course have consequences for the american dollar and we all know how weak it is at the moment
the usa is becoming less relevant nowadays economically , what with both china and india roaring ahead
all empires did what they had to do to remain top dog
while through fox news and the like , the american people will be fed storys of nukes raining down on manhattan or worse jerusalum and how the iranian people long to be freed , the truth is likely to be somewhat more financially based

oh btw , ewt gingrich , a hawk if ever there was one , was on hannity and colmes on fox news last week discussing what an iranian strike might look like , he mentiond the afforementioned pipeline