Ahmadinejad Rails Against U.S., Israel – Transcripts, Events, Experts

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Ahmadinejad Rails Against U.S., Israel – Transcripts, Events, Experts

Transcript of Ahmadinejad’s speech to the U.N., Sept. 23
Transcript of Ahmadinejad’s interview with NPR, Sept. 23
U.N. General Assembly Debate: Full Schedule, Sept. 23 (updated daily)
Contact info for Peres, Israeli delegation
 

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday (Sept. 23) used the  platform of the U.N. General Assembly to lash out once again at the
U.S. and Israel, telling world leaders, “[The] American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road…”

Speaking about Israel, Ahmadinejad said, “Today, the Zionist regime is on a definite slope to collapse, and there is no way for it to get out of the cesspool created by itself and its supporters.”

The 63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly began on Sept. 16, and the general debate is scheduled for Sept. 23 – Oct. 1.

Ahmadinejad’s comments Tuesday echo past remarks he has made, including calls to annihilate Israel and threats to the U.S. and other countries that support Israel. In June, Ahmadinejad said, “The countdown for the decline of America’s demonic power has begun.” [1] A month earlier, Ahmadinejad said, “If countries in the region continue to [support] Israel they will be burned by the wrath of the nations.” [2]

Iran, the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism, continues to arm, train, and fund terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which have launched almost 10,000 rockets, missiles and mortars at Israel since Israel gave up all of Gaza three years ago. Iran has promised to share its nuclear know-how with other countries. [3]

Despite numerous and recent reports to the contrary, Ahmadinejad also told the U.N. General Assembly that his country’s nuclear program is transparent and has provided “full cooperation” to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Agency’s reports about Iran – including one released Sept. 15 – have consistently found that Iran has failed to fully cooperate with the IAEA and that it was impossible to determine whether the program is for peaceful purposes as Iran has claimed. [4] The reports have also found that Iran is continuously developing and operating new centrifuges [5] and enriching uranium in violation of several U.N. Security Council resolutions. [6]

During his 30-minute speech, Ahmadinejad alluded to his apocalyptic beliefs, saying, “A golden and brilliant future is awaiting mankind…The community promised by the great divine Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ and Mohammad is about to materialize…The Imam of Time, The promised One…will come accompanied by Jesus Christ…”

The U.S. and many of its allies have been vocal about their concern over Iran’s nuclear program, and on Tuesday French President and European Union President Nicolas Sarkozy told the U.N. General Assembly that Europe “cannot accept a nuclear-armed Iran which would endanger the peace and stability of an entire region, nor can it tolerate Iran calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.”

Sarkozy, who in the past has called for stronger sanctions against Iran, also told the world leaders, “Europe is telling Israel that it is a friend, that it will let no one threaten its existence, that we will always be at Israel’s side to fight terrorism.” 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said “Iran’s nuclear program is one of our biggest security policy concerns.” [7]  

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, who has negotiated directly with Iran over its refusal to suspend its enrichment program, has said that despite “endless hours” of talks Iran would not halt its activities, and warned that “dialogue could not last forever.” [8] 

Israeli President Shimon Peres is scheduled to address the General Assembly Wednesday (Sept. 24) at about 12:30 p.m. He is also scheduled to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to discuss the Iranian nuclear threat and other issues.

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Footnotes:
[1] President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, broadcast on IRINN TV on June 2, 2008
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1784.htm 
[2] Emrooz (Iranian online political magazine), May 10, 2008.

[3] Harris, Francis and La Guardia, Anton, “Campaign to curb Iran’s nuclear plans on the verge of collapse,” The Daily Telegraph, Sept. 16, 2005, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/09/16/wiran16.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/09/16/ixnewstop.html 
[4] “Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007) and 1803 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” F.28, May 26, 2008, http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2008/gov2008-15.pdf 
[5] “Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1747 (2007) in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” F.56. Feb. 22, 2008,
http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2008/gov2008-4.pdf   
[6] “Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” G.22, Aug. 30, 2008, http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/Board/2007/gov2007-48.pdf 
[7] “Merkel: Iran our grave security concern,” PressTV, Dec. 27, 2007
[8] Sciolino, Elaine; O’Neil, John, “Diplomat sees dead end in Iran talks,” New York Times, Oct. 4, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/04/world/middleeast/05irancnd.html?ex=1317614400&en=ff72581a05c524f2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss 

 

 

 


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