Ahmadinejad finally spoke before theUN General Assembly. I remember one at one stage the Iranian president was not granted a visa to enter the US to have such an opportunity. I thought, at that time, and I still feel the same that it is impolite, irresponsible & condecending behavior from theUS part.
If you claim to be a global power, an avid supporter of peace, and a host of the nations' podium (The UN), then you shouldn't act like an angry wife, and deny someone admission to the nations' home! I think if they want to behave in this childish way, the UN headquarters should be moved to some other mature state.
Now, I'm not a fan of Ahmadinejad. I believe he is overexcited, rushes things, and puts himself and his nation in awkward situations!
However, in this speach, I haven't seen any unreasonable statements, or any non-evedince based claims.
He touched base on several issues, both while addressing the UN, and talking to Larry King!
1. On the global policeman attitude of the united states, He said:
"As long as the aggressors, because of their financial, political and propaganda powers, not only escape punishment, but even claim righteousness, and as long as wars are started and nations are enslaved in order to win votes in elections, not only will the problems of the global community remain unsolved, but they will be increasingly exacerbated"
One will need to look at the post 9/11 world, and count the number of Iraqis & Afghans who died without a purpose .
2. On the Palestinians situation, and the Arab-Israeli conflict, he said:
"Palestinians have undergone 60 years of carnage and invasion ... at the hands of some criminal and occupying Zionists. Zionists in Israel have forged a regime through collecting people from various parts of the world and bringing them to other people's land, by displacing, detaining and killing the true owners of that land.
The Security Council cannot do anything, and sometimes under pressure from a few bullying powers, even paves the way for supporting these Zionist murders."
The Security Council cannot do anything, and sometimes under pressure from a few bullying powers, even paves the way for supporting these Zionist murders."
I don't think anyone, at these times, can turn a blind eye to the suffering of the palestinians. Just because Europe & The United States are being extra polite with the Jewish state, it doesn't make the atrocities the palestinians suffer less inhumane.
On the Jews he said:
"We have no problems with Jewish people. There are many Jews who live in Iran today ... but please pay attention to the fact that the Zionists are not Jews. They have no religion ... they just have -- wear masks of religiosity. How can you possibly be religious and occupy the land of other people?"
Therefore, I think the Anti-Defamataion League should know better that calling him anti-semitic! I don't see them getting worked up everytime Mr. Bush decides to label people, as terrorists or Villains left right and center. Or, when he declares a crusade!!!
3. On Iran's Nuclear program, he said:
"Their concerns about us are not new. They've always been concerned. They were the ones who inspired Saddam [Hussein] to attack Iran and get us involved in an eight-year war. The terrorist groups that killed our president, our prime minister, our officials, are now freely asked to live in the Western countries.
The nuclear issue, has been politicized and is not a legal struggle at all, noting the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog group, has not detected any noncompliance or deviation on the part of Tehran"
The nuclear issue, has been politicized and is not a legal struggle at all, noting the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog group, has not detected any noncompliance or deviation on the part of Tehran"
Beat that!! You wanted inspector, you got it. You want to check on us, you got it. Nothing we do is against the international law, so what the hell is all the fuss about? Meanwhile, the west still doesn't see a problem with Israel being a nuclear power, and not signing any treatment to control the spreading of nuclear weapons!
4. On the American-Iranian Dialogue, his words were:
"I have said that, in fact, on this very trip, currently in New York, that I am ready to speak with the presidential candidates before the press. I believe that we've really done whatever we could do in this respect"
So for a country who supports democracy and dialogue, the US government should be the initiator of such a dialogue. Insteas they are shying away from it! I wonder why? In fact, during his speech at the UN, no more than a note-taker was representing the US delegate! The perminant member of the United Nations... Talk about denial!
5. On Homosexuality in Iran, he said:
"We do pay attention that in Iran nobody interferes in the private lives of individuals. We have nothing to do with the private realm of people. This is at the non-private, public morality. In their own house, nobody ever interferes."
Well, I think here, he was caught off guard! I don't think anyone can deny the presence of Homosexuals in their society, and I don't think that Iran doesn't interfere with people's private life!
All in all, I think he was being reasonable. Not "on fire" as he usually is, which I think is good for his people. Sadly, I don't think anything he said will change the leading powers' plans for the region. It most probably will not be more than a cry which will fade away in a week or two. Probably just before the next speech Bush will grace us with regarding Iran or the Axis of Evil!
It's funny how differently this label "Axis of Evil" is conceived when he said it, as opposed to how it sounds when Dean Obeidallah or the rest of the Axis of Evil comedians say it.
Finally, I think I have to say, we still love Americans. Just not those sitting in Washington DC!
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