In recent days, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made statements at several venues. On November 23, 2010, in a speech in the northwestern Iranian city of Zanjan, Ahmadinejad called on "the arrogance and the great powers" to surrender to the Hidden Imam – the Shi'ite messiah whose appearance he repeatedly claims is imminent.
Prior to that, on November 18, while in Baku, Azerbaijan for the third meeting of the leaders of Caspian littoral states, he gave an interview to Iran's Sahar TV discussing the negotiations with the 5+1, Iran's demand for a committee to investigate the 9/11 events, "Islamophobia" as "humanophobia," how the world will treat the Jews, and other issues.[1]
The following are Ahmadinejad's statements:
Ahmadinejad in Zanjan: West Must Surrender To Hidden Imam
On November 23, in the city of Zanjan, Ahmadinejad said that the time of the arrogance and the great powers is over, and called on them to to surrender to the worldwide governance of the Shi'a Hidden Imam.[2]
Ahmadinejad in Baku: Negotiations With 5+1
While in Baku, Ahmadinejad said that the West would regret rejecting Turkey as the negotiations venue for the negotiations with the 5+1.[3]
In his November 18 interview with Iran's Sahar TV, Ahmadinejad said that Iran's nuclear program is a resolved issue and that Tehran would not negotiate on its inalienable rights. "We have announced that we will not negotiate on our inalienable rights, such as independence. No one negotiates about their independence with anyone," he said, referring to Iran's upcoming multifaceted talks with the 5+1 – Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S. plus Germany.
"Our stance is obvious; we have presented our proposal package," Ahmadinejad said, adding, "We think global issues will not be resolved without public management and the participation of all nations and governments and without paying due attention to law and justice."
He went on to say that that Iran's proposal stresses the main problems of the international community and that Tehran has expressed its readiness to resolve them in an atmosphere based on understanding, justice and respect. "But if they (the West) want to negotiate with their old domineering thoughts, nothing special will happen to them… We, however, will continue our course."
"Those [countries], whose arsenals are full of atomic weapons arm their friends with atomic weapons and justify all the crimes their friends commit, but when it comes to Iran they spread false news," Ahmadinejad said, adding that the world powers want Tehran to prove something which does not exist.
"We tell them we work according to the law, and there is no diversion. They say no, there is (diversion). We ask, what is your proof? And they say you give us proof… We say we do not have any [such] proof, and they say well, then this shows Iran is hiding something."[4]
The 9/11 Investigative Committee
Responding to a question in the Sahar TV interview about Iran's proposal for a fact-finding committee to probe the 9/11 events, Ahmadinejad said that the West invaded the region using those incidents as a pretext.
"More than one million have been killed, and more [people] are being killed everyday… they bomb villages, children, women and weddings. Why are they interfering in Iraq's affairs, in Afghanistan's affairs? Why? The Afghan president [Hamid Karzai] says, 'Why do you carry out military operations on our soil? This is a republic!' They [i.e. the West] say, 'Because we feel like it!' The excuse for all of this is September 11. On September 11, they singlehandedly accused our region."
He continued, "How can they be plaintiff, prosecutor and the judge? How can they deliver the verdict and then carry out that sentence against the nations? This issue should be cleared."
"Of course we were saddened by that incident [9/11]. A group of innocent people were killed for no reason… Of course this [9/11 probe] can be a good thing for the U.S. government and NATO."
He added that if the initial claim by the U.S. government turns out to be wrong, they can say there has been a mistake and withdraw their forces honorably.
Ahmadinejad then said that if the West does not allow the fact-finding committee to be formed, it means all this has been a plot to invade the region.[5]
The West's "Islamophobia" Is "Humanophobia"
Referring in the Sahar TV interview to the "Islamophobia policy" of the "hegemonic powers" after 9/11, Ahmadinejad said that "Islamophobia is in fact humanophobia."
"What they are afraid of is retrieving humane [sic] identity. In today's world a strong and deep wave has been formed in which people are finding themselves. Nations are finding their capabilities, identity and humane [sic] origins."
He continued, "Nowadays, humane [sic] dignity is a very serious matter in the world. Justice is a very serious matter. Monotheism, which is the basis of justice and humane dignity, is a very serious matter. And they (Westerners) are afraid of this. Every human that [truly] knows himself is a danger to them, because such a person will not accept hegemony. Any nation that knows itself will not accept hegemonic and one-sided methods."
"They are basically against every religion that originates from truth and seeks humane quintessence and dignity, and justice. They are not only against Islam, they are also opposed to Christianity if they (the Christians) promote true Christian values," Ahmadinejad added.[6]
The West Will Oppose the Jews
Ahmadinejad added in the interview that the West would oppose the Jewish people if they act according to the teachings of Moses.
Azerbaijan-Iran Relations
Ahmadinejad also told Sahar TV that economic ties between Iran and Azerbaijan would expand. "In the first step, we envision at least US$5 billion. This [sum] can easily be increased," he said.[7]
Endnotes:
[1] Press TV, Iran, November 20, 2010.
[4] Press TV, Iran, November 20, 2010.
[5] Press TV, Iran, November 20, 2010.
[6] Press TV, Iran, November 20, 2010.
[7] Press TV, Iran, November 20, 2010.
