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The following are excerpts from a speech by Iranian president Mohammad Khatami. Channel 1, Iranian TV aired this speech on Febraury 13, 2005:
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami:
Our problem is the violent and rigid voices heard in the world. One such voice was heard from Afghanistan during the Taliban rule, and another is being heard from the White House. This is a dangerous thing. Even though they confront one another, and pound and harm one another - Mr. bin Laden says: What I realized, with my narrow understanding… My God is the traditional and fanatic perspective of Islam - the Islam of 10 centuries ago - and I consider any innovation to be heretic. This is my truth. Anyone who doesn't agree with this point of view is an infidel, an atheist, and fair game. In order to kill him it is permitted to pulverize thousands of innocent people. In order to weaken him it is permitted to make millions miserable. This is one perspective. This very same voice is heard from the White House. It says: Whoever is not with us is against us, and war against him is a holy war. But if you delve a little deeper, and exchange the words of Bush and Bin Laden, you will be unable to distinguish between the two.Latest Clips
