[WCUSP] fyi: Ahmadinejad's UN Speech

[KATHARLOW at aol.com]

Ahmadinejad's UN  Speech 
September 19, 2006

Madam  President, Distinguished Heads of State and   
Government,  Distinguished Heads of Delegation,   
Excellencies, Ladies and  Gentlemen:   

I praise the Merciful, All-Knowing and Almighty  God for   
blessing me with another opportunity to address  this   
Assembly on behalf of the great nation of Iran and  to   
bring a number of issues to the attention of the    
international community.   

I also praise the Almighty for  the increasing vigilance   
of peoples across the globe, their  courageous presence in   
different international settings, and the  brave expression   
of their views and aspirations regarding global  issues.   

Today, humanity passionately craves for commitment  to the   
Truth, devotion to God, enforcement of justice and  respect   
for the dignity of human beings, elimination of  domination   
and aggression, defense of the oppressed. And a  longing for   
peace constitutes the legitimate demand of the  peoples of   
the world, particularly the new generations and the  spirit-   
ed youth, who aspire a world free from  decadence,   
aggression and injustice, and replete with love  and   
compassion. The youth have a right to seek justice and  the   
Truth; and they have a right to build their own future  on   
the foundations of love, compassion and tranquility.  And,   
I praise the Almighty for this immense  blessing.   

Madame President, Excellencies: What afflicts  humanity   
today is certainly not compatible with human dignity;  the   
Almighty has not created human beings so that they  could   
transgress on others and oppress them.    

By causing war and conflict, some are fast expanding their    
domination, accumulating greater wealth and usurping all    
resources, while others endure the resulting poverty,    
suffering and misery.   

Some seek to rule the world  relying on weapons and threats,   
while others live in perpetual  insecurity and danger.   

Some occupy the homeland of others,  thousands of kilometers   
away from their borders, interfere in  their affairs and   
control their oil and other resources and  strategic routes,   
while others are bombarded daily in their own  homes; their   
children murdered in the streets and alleys of  their own   
country and their homes reduced to rubble.    

Such behavior is not consistent with the status of human    
beings and runs counter to the Truth, to justice and to    
human dignity. The fundamental question is that under such    
conditions, where should the oppressed seek justice? Who or    
what organization defends the rights of the oppressed, and    
suppresses acts of aggression and oppression? Where is the    
seat of global justice?   

A brief glance at a few examples  of the most pressing   
global issues can further illustrate the  problem.   

A. The unbridled expansion of nuclear, chemical  and   
biological weapons: Some powers proudly announce  their   
production of second and third generation nuclear  weapons.   
What do they need these weapons for? Is the  development   
and stockpiling of these deadly weapons designed to  promote   
peace and democracy? Or are these weapons, in  fact,   
instruments of coercion and threat against other  peoples   
and governments? How long should the people of the  world   
live with the nightmare of nuclear, biological and  chemical   
weapons? To what length can powers producing and  possessing   
these weapons go?   

How can they be  held accountable before the international   
community? And, are  the inhabitants of these countries   
content with waste resulting  from the use of their wealth   
and resources for the production of  destructive arsenals?   
Is it not possible to rely on justice,  ethics and wisdom   
instead of on instruments of death? Aren't  wisdom and   
justice more compatible with peace and tranquility  than   
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons? If wisdom,  ethics   
and justice prevail, then oppression and aggression  will   
be uprooted, threats will wither away and no reason  will   
remain for conflict.   

This is a solid  proposition because most global conflicts   
emanate from  injustice, and from the powerful not being   
content with their  own rights and still strive to devour   
the rights of  others.   

People across the globe embrace justice and are  willing to   
sacrifice for its sake.   

Would it  not be easier for global powers to ensure their   
longevity and  win hearts and minds through the championing   
of real justice,  compassion and peace than by continuing   
their production and  proliferation of nuclear and chemical   
weapons and the threat of  their use?   

The experience of the threat and the use of  nuclear weapons   
is before us. Has it achieved anything for the  perpetrators   
other than exacerbation of tension, hatred and  animosity   
among  nations?   


B. Occupation of countries and exacerbation of hostilities.    

Occupation of countries, including Iraq, has continued for    
the last three years. Not a day goes by without hundreds   
of  people getting killed in cold blood. The occupiers are   
incapable  of establishing security in Iraq. Despite the   
establishment of  the lawful Government and National   
Assembly of Iraq, there are  covert and overt efforts to   
heighten insecurity, magnify and  aggravate differences   
within Iraqi society, and instigate civil  strife.   

There is no indication that the occupiers have  the   
necessary political will to eliminate the sources  of   
instability. Numerous terrorists were apprehended by  the   
Government of Iraq only to be let loose under  various   
pretexts by the occupiers.   

It seems  that intensification of hostilities and terrorism   
serves as a  pretext for the continued presence of foreign   
forces in  Iraq.   

Where can the people of Iraq seek refuge, and from  whom   
should the Government of Iraq seek justice?    

Who can ensure Iraq's security? Insecurity in Iraq affects    
the entire region. Can the Security Council play a role in    
restoring peace and security in Iraq when the occupiers are    
themselves the permanent members of the Council? Can the    
Security Council adopt a fair decision in this regard?    

Consider the situation in Palestine:   

The roots of  the Palestinian problem go back to the Second   
World War. Under  the pretext of protecting some of the   
survivors of that war, the  land of Palestine was occupied   
through war, aggression and the  displacement of millions   
of its inhabitants; it was placed under  the control of   
some of the war's survivors, bringing even  larger   
population groups from elsewhere in the world who had  not   
been even affected by the war; and a government  was   
established in the territory of others with a  population   
collected from across the world at the expense of  driving   
millions of rightful inhabitants of the land into  a   
diaspora and homelessness.   

This is a great  tragedy with hardly a precedent in history.   
Refugees continue to  live in temporary refugee camps and   
many have died still hoping  to one day return to their   
homeland. Can any logic, law or legal  reasoning justify   
this tragedy? Can any member of the United  Nations accept   
such a tragedy occurring in their own  homeland?   

The pretexts for the creation of the regime  occupying   
Al-Quds Al-Sharif are so weak that its proponents  want   
to silence any voice trying to merely speak about them  as   
they fear that the shedding of light on the facts  would   
undermine the raison d'etre of this regime as it  already   
has.   

The tragedy does not end with  the establishment of a   
regime in the territory of others.  Regrettably, from its   
inception, the regime has been a constant  source of threat   
and insecurity in the Middle East region,  waging war and   
spilling blood and impeding the progress of  regional   
countries, and has also been used by some powers as  an   
instrument of division, coercion, and pressure on  the   
people of the region.   

Reference to these  historical realities may cause some   
disquiet among supporters of  this regime. But these are   
sheer facts and not myth. History has  unfolded before our   
eyes.   

Worst yet is the  blanket and unwarranted support provided   
to this  regime.   

Just watch what is happening in Palestinian lands.  People   
are being bombarded in their own homes and their  children   
murdered in their own streets and alleys. But no  authority,   
not even the Security Council, can afford them any  support   
or protection. Why?   

At the same  time, a government is formed democratically and   
through the free  choice of the electorate in a part of   
Palestinian territory. But  instead of receiving the support   
of the so-called champions of  democracy, its ministers and   
members of parliament are illegally  abducted and   
incarcerated in full view of the international  community.   

Which council or international organization  stands up to   
protect this brutally besieged government? And why  can't   
the Security Council take any steps?    

Let me here address Lebanon:   

For thirty-three long  days, the Lebanese lived under the   
barrage of fire and bombs and  close to 1.5 million of them   
were displaced.    

Meanwhile, some members of the Security Council practically    
chose a path that provided ample opportunity for the    
aggressor to achieve its objectives militarily. We   
witnessed  the Security Council of the United Nations   
practically  incapacitated by certain powers to even call   
for a ceasefire.  The Security Council sat idly by for so   
many days witnessing the  cruel scenes of atrocities against   
the Lebanese while tragedies  such as Qana were persistently   
repeated. Why? In all these  cases, the answer is self-   
evident. When the power behind the  hostilities is itself a   
permanent member of the Security  Council, how then can this   
Council fulfill its  responsibilities?   


C. Lack of respect for the rights of  members of the   
international community    

Excellencies, I now wish to refer to some of the grievances    
of the Iranian people and speak about the injustices   
against  them.   

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member of the IAEA  and   
is committed to the NPT. All our nuclear activities  are   
transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of  IAEA   
inspectors. Why then are there objections to our  legally   
recognized rights? Which governments object to  these   
rights? Governments that themselves benefit from  nuclear   
energy and the fuel cycle. Some of them have abused  nuclear   
technology for non-peaceful ends, including the  production   
of nuclear bombs, and some even have a bleak record  of   
using them against humanity.   

Which  organization or Council should address these   
injustices? Is the  Security Council in a position to   
address them? Can it stop  violations of the inalienable   
rights of countries? Can it  prevent certain powers from   
impeding scientific progress of  other countries? The abuse   
of the Security Council, as an  instrument of threat and   
coercion, is indeed a source of grave  concern.   

Some permanent members of the Security Council,  even when   
they are themselves parties to international  disputes,   
conveniently threaten others in the Security Council  and   
seek condemnation, even before any decision by the  Council,   
their opponents by the Council.   

The  questions are: What can justify such exploitation of   
the  Security Council? Does this not erode the credibility   
and  effectiveness of the Council? Can such behavior   
contribute to  the ability of the Council to maintain   
security?    

Excellencies, A review of the preceding historical    
realities would lead to the conclusion that regrettably,    
justice has become a victim of force and aggression.    

Many global arrangements have become unjust, discriminatory    
and irresponsible as a result of undue pressure from   
certain  powers; "Threats of nuclear weapons and other   
instruments of war  by some powers have taken the place of   
respect for the rights of  nations and the maintenance and   
promotion of peace and  tranquility; "For some powers,   
claims of promotion of human  rights and democracy can only   
last as long as they can be used  as instruments of pressure   
and intimidation against other  nations. But when it comes   
to the interests of rightful  claimants, concepts such as   
democracy, the right of  self-determination of nations,   
respect for the rights and  obligations of peoples,   
international law and justice have no  place or value.   
This is blatantly manifested in the way the  elected   
government of the Palestinian people is treated as  well   
as in the support extended to the Zionist regime. It  does   
not matter if people are murdered in Palestine, turned  into   
refugees, captured, imprisoned or besieged -- these do  not   
violate human rights.   

Nations are not  equal in exercising their rights recognized   
by international  law. Enjoyment of these rights is   
dependent on the whim of  certain major powers.   

Apparently the Security Council can  only be used to ensure   
the security and the rights of  some   
big powers. When the oppressed are crushed by  bombardment,   
the Security Council must remain aloof and not even  call   
for a ceasefire. Is this not a tragedy of  historic   
proportions for the Security Council which is charged  with   
maintaining security for all countries?    

The prevailing order of contemporary global interactions    
is such that certain powers equate themselves with the    
international community, and consider their decisions    
superseding that of over 180 countries. They consider    
themselves the masters and rulers of the entire world and    
other nations as only second class in the world order.    

Excellencies, the question needs to be asked: if the    
governments of the United States or the United Kingdom, who    
are permanent members of the Security Council, commit    
aggression, occupation and violation of international law,    
which of the organs of the UN can take them to account? Can    
a Council in which they are privileged members address   
their  violations? Has this ever happened?   

In fact, we have  repeatedly seen the reverse. If they have   
differences with a  nation or state, they drag it to the   
Security Council and as  claimants, arrogate to themselves   
simultaneously the roles of  prosecutor, judge and   
executioner. Is this a just order? Can  there be a more   
vivid case of discrimination and more clear  evidence of   
injustice?   

Regrettably, the  persistence of some hegemonic powers in   
imposing their  exclusionist policies on international   
decision making  mechanisms, including the Security Council,   
has resulted in a  growing mistrust in global public   
opinion, undermining the  credibility and effectiveness of   
this most universal system of  collective security.   

Excellencies, how long can such a  situation last in the   
world? It is evident that the behavior of  some powers   
constitutes the greatest challenge before the  Security   
Council, the entire organization and its  affiliated   
agencies.   

The present structure  and working methods of the Security   
Council, which are legacies  of the Second World War, are   
not responsive to the expectations  of the current   
generation and the contemporary needs of  humanity.   

Today, it is undeniable that the Security Council,  most   
critically and urgently, needs legitimacy and  effective-   
ness. It must be acknowledged that as long as the  Council   
is unable to act on behalf of the entire  international   
community in a transparent, just and democratic  manner,   
it will neither be legitimate nor effective.    

Furthermore, the direct relation between the abuse of    
veto and the erosion of the legitimacy and effectiveness   
of  the Council has now been clearly and undeniably   
established. We  cannot, and should not, expect the   
eradication, or even  containment, of injustice, imposition   
and oppression without  reforming the structure and working   
methods of the  Council.   


Is it appropriate to expect this generation to  submit to   
the decisions and arrangements established over half  a   
century ago? Doesn't this generation or future  generations   
have the right to decide themselves about the world  in   
which they want to live?   

Today, serious  reform in the structure and working methods   
of the Security  Council is, more than ever before,   
necessary. Justice and  democracy dictate that the role of   
the General Assembly, as the  highest organ of the United   
Nations, must be respected. The  General Assembly can then,   
through appropriate mechanisms, take  on the task of   
reforming the Organization and particularly  rescue the   
Security Council from its current state. In the  interim,   
the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of the  Islamic   
Conference and the African continent should each have  a   
representative as a permanent member of the  Security   
Council, with veto privilege. The resulting balance  would   
hopefully prevent further trampling of the rights  of   
nations.   

Madame President,  Excellencies,  it is essential that   
spirituality and ethics  find their rightful place in   
international relations. Without  ethics and spirituality,   
attained in light of the teachings of  Divine prophets,   
justice, freedom and human rights cannot be  guaranteed.   

Resolution of contemporary human crises lies in  observing   
ethics and spirituality and governance by righteous  people   
of high competence and piety. Should respect for the  rights   
of human beings become the predominant  objective,   
injustice, ill-temper, aggression and war will fade  away.   
Human beings are all God's creatures and are all  endowed   
with dignity and respect.   

No one has  superiority over others. No individual or states   
can arrogate to  themselves special privileges, nor can they   
disregard the rights  of others and, through influence and   
pressure, position  themselves as the 'international   
community'.    

Citizens of Asia, Africa, Europe and America are all equal.    
Over six billion inhabitants of the earth are all equal   
and  worthy of respect.   

Justice and protection of human dignity  are the two pillars   
in maintaining sustainable peace, security  and tranquility   
in the world.   

It is for this  reason that we state: Sustainable peace and   
tranquility in the  world can only be attained through   
justice, spirituality,  ethics, compassion and respect for   
human dignity. All nations  and states are entitled to   
peace, progress and security. We are  all members of the   
international community and we are all  entitled to insist   
on the creation of a climate of compassion,  love and   
justice.   

All members of the United  Nations are affected by both the   
bitter and the sweet events and  developments in today's   
world.   

We can adopt  firm and logical decisions thereby improving   
the prospects of a  better life for current and future   
generations.    

Together, we can eradicate the roots of bitter maladies and    
afflictions and through promotion of universal and lasting    
values such as ethics, spirituality and justice allow our    
nations to taste the sweetness of a better future.    

Peoples, driven by their divine nature, intrinsically seek    
good, virtue, perfection and beauty. Relying on our   
peoples,  we can take giant steps towards reform and pave   
the road for  human perfection.   

Whether we like it or not, justice, peace  and virtue will   
sooner or later prevail in the world with the  will of   
Almighty God. It is imperative, and also desirable,  that   
we, too, contribute to the promotion of justice and  virtue.   

The Almighty and Merciful God, who is the Creator of  the   
Universe, is also its Lord and Ruler. Justice is  His   
command. He commands His creatures to support one  another   
in Good, virtue and piety, and not in decadence  and   
corruption.   

He commands His creatures to  enjoin one another to   
righteousness and virtue and not to sin  and transgression.   
All Divine prophets from the Prophet Adam  (peace be upon   
him) to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), to  the   
Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), to the  Prophet   
Mohammad (peace be upon him), have all called humanity  to   
monotheism, justice, brotherhood, love and compassion.  Is   
it not possible to build a better world based on    
monotheism, justice, love and respect for the rights of    
human beings, and thereby transform animosities into    
friendship?   

I emphatically declare that today's world,  more than ever   
before, longs for just and righteous people with  love for   
all humanity; and above all longs for the perfect  righteous   
human being and the real savior who has been promised  to   
all peoples and who will establish justice, peace  and   
brotherhood on the planet.   

O, Almighty  God, all men and women are your creatures and   
you have ordained  their guidance and salvation. Bestow upon   
humanity that thirsts  for justice, the perfect human being   
promised to all by you, and  make us among his followers   
and among those who strive for his  return and his cause.    

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