Iran’s President Ahmadinejad has taken his oath for a second term after weeks of unrest following the elections. In his speech after being sworn in, he criticised foreign powers who have cast doubt over the validity of the elections. He said Iran would resist these countries. Referring to countries that have decided not to send letters of congratulation to the President, he said, “We heard that some of the Western leaders had decided to recognise but not congratulate the new government… Well, no-one in Iran is waiting for your messages.”
President Ahmadinejad also said his new administration would continue an active foreign policy, arguing that the people of Iran want constructive dialogue. However, he also said Iran will not tolerate “disrespect, interference and insults.”
This is a transcript some of his address:
On international level we should play an active
role. Some governments should feel responsible for their
words and deeds. Interferences, occupations, cultural and
economic disturbances, environmental disturbances that arise
from their policies, they need to be corrected and they need
to be accountable for this. The people of Iran are for
constructive dialogue and logic. The pillar of our foreign
policy is constructive and wide-scale interaction with all
people and nations, independent states based on justice,
mutual respect and friendship. However, we will resist
violation of law, interference, abuse of international
mechanisms and discrimination. We will not remain silent. We
want equal and friendly relations. But disrespect,
interference and insults, we will not tolerate this.
After the post-election protests, controversy surrounding the lack of support from former supporters, and international condemnation, is President Ahmadinejad right to be suspicious of other foreign powers?
Does it work both ways? France, Germany, Britain and the US have refused to send letters of congratulation to Iran, is it their right to be suspicious of a foreign power that has flouted international law?
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Definetely he is right to be suspicious of foreigners. I agree with his words
“[Foreign governments] just want democracy at the service of their own interests – they do not respect the rights of other nations. They see themselves as the yardstick of democracy – our people oppose this, that’s what our people are resisting,” he said.
The leaders in the West don’t care about the people. They just see them as pawns in a game to be manipulated for the interests of the ruling class. The overthrow of the Iranian system of government will begin the process towards domination.
Does it work both ways? France, Germany, Britain and the US have refused to send letters of congratulation to Iran, is it their right to be suspicious of a foreign power that has flouted international law?
Has it been proven conclusively and irrefutably that Iran has flouted international law? What international law has been flouted? Is there scientific evidence or are assumptions based on anecdotes?
I feel Ahmadinejad and the Supreme Leader are right in what they say. The western powers have clearly come out as a group that has a confused agenda like the Iranian opposition. The right thing is the stabilization of the state and engagement in dialogue. Ahmadinejad had dialogue-agenda with Obama as one of his campaign pledges and this clearly ought to have been something to be pursued instead of playing heckler. Too much effort has been wasted on Ahmadinejad who clearly is not the head of state and neither of the opposition figureheads would be.
Iran is a stable country with a young democracy, and despite unwarranted bull-club-talk by its leadership, the people and the government are somewhat disciplined – unlike in other countries in the region where there are numerous misadventures.
Ahmadinejad, His Own Best Enemy!
TEHRAN – There is no stopping the public. People are offended because they have been treated like fools, neglected too long. “You don’t matter!” They were told!
There is no holding them back now. There will be no government without the consent of the people. The town is at a standstill. When the fun and games begin, some people watch from their balconies, others join in.
Who said “I trust no one but me and thee, and I’m not too sure about thee.”? I think most foreign powers all have to be suspicious of each other, because they all have their own interests and will put them above anyone elses. I may not be crazy about Ahmadinejad, but he is right to be suspicious.
Right now, Ahmednejad must take solace from the fact that most of the people around the world like him just that little more than Khomeini, and that just care that little more about him than khomeini does. It’s just that they want him to be just.
Ahmeddinjad Had sent message of congratulation to USA President Obama Upon his election before his own election.This was not reciprocated. In Islam Action is by intention.But The others who have not sent letter of Congratulate
are those who have moved in after Iraq invasion in his neighbourhood after WMD Gimmick.
His fear is obviously well justified. His reasoning is wrong and personally paranoid. But with good reason. He is an empty puppet politician making bold moves when he has neither the strength or intelligence to successfully see them through. At this rate Khomeini will probably have to replace him.
All the statements putting down western government attitudes are justified and so correct. I doubt he came up with them on his own. When a puppet like this is the face other countries are required to work with, it is wise to not take Iran seriously. The top power must be the one to make agreements with the world directly.
was listening to BBC world service at 1400 GMT, 5th of Aug, an interview with a reporter from Press tv, first name Afshin i suppose, he claimed that the Iraninan protesters are from the rich and A.N.’s supporters are poor and from rural areas; to support his claim he said that the poor in villages were “handed money” one month before the election. Please enlighten me isn’t this an obvious case of election fraud? Can BBC world service broadcast the interview in the BBC persian TV please?
No wonder!…I consider Ahmeddinjad as a straggler in World politics! If you want me to talk clean world politics,then,mention for me the following:Obama,Brown,Jack chirac,Bill clinton,Jakaya Kikwete[Tanzania],John kufour[Ghana],etc
Tthe larger issue is whether Iran can trust the West..The colonial European powers made a mess in the 19th and early 20th enturies and the US has become the master of clumsy intrusion and disasterous policies in the Mid-East in the mid 20 th century to the present..The arrogance of power by the US combined with an abysmal ignorance of cutural,political and tribal issues has produced Afganistan ,Iraq, Pakistan and Iran.crisis.The Isreal Lobby has mani;ulated the US policy in the region alienating Arabs and Iranians alike Ahmeddijad will pass from the scene but only a change in US policy will open the door for productive dialogue..
Any and everthing President Ahmadinejad says with a silk tongue is for one purpose is to get glorifications for his loud mouth lieing and rediculous policies.
He will no doubt lead his people to difficult times. There is no doubt the vast number of Iranian people do not want or like him for what he stands for. He is the kind of person who is pigheaded in his ways and uses the excuse that western countries are the main cause for stirring up trouble after the last elections, he has not convinced the many Iranians who consider the elections rigged.
Yes, I think that President Mahmoud Ahmadinjead is correct that he should
be skeptical of foreigners in country currently….
~Dennis Junior~
The States overthrew their democratic govt. in 1953 for oil. Obama’s telling them they don’t have the right to have nuclear weapons (but the States do). And THEN he says we don’t tell other sovereign states what to do.
How would YOU react to that if you were Ahmandinejad?
In response to T. who comments:
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The States overthrew their democratic govt. in 1953 for oil. … How would YOU react to that if you were Ahmandinejad?
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Just to set the records straight.
Yes the US did plot against the democratically elected and popular government of Dr. Mossadegh in 1953. But it is the Iranian people they should apologise to and compensate. Not their enemies.
The religious camp which Ahmadinejad represents today were on the wrong side of Iran and Dr. Mossadegh even then.