 http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=92068 Ahmadinejad explains his logic on racism
Font size :    Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:35:53 GMT Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke to the press after the Racism Conference, held in Durban, Switzerland on April 20, 2009. The following is the text of the address: I wish to express my sincere welcome to the distinguished participants in this press conference and representatives of the media. As you know, the meeting today was about one of the most important issues of the world -- an issue that has been regarded as a challenge for the past 200 hundred years, one that has inflicted tremendous suffering on human beings and the world community. Racism is the product of ignorance and arrogance -- the feeling of considering oneself superior to others. Racism has been the main contributor to wars and all conflicts in the world. My friends, the world is undergoing major changes today; these developments appear to be necessary and inevitable. The international community is no longer able to live in a situation of stalemate. An incorrect definition of humanitarian principles and humanitarian values -- based on discrimination -- inevitably must change. Today we must undertake efforts to build a new world -- a world where there is no racism, no arrogance and no sense of superiority over others, no aggression and no massacre of human beings, no genocide or racism. This is a universal responsibility. I thank you all for your participation in this conference to convey the message of peace and brotherhood in defiance of racism, and I thank you very much for your effort. Now, I'm ready to listen to you, to answer your questions within the timeframe Mr. Tabatabaie has set. Please ask very brief questions. Question: Mr. President. Days ago, you announced that you will have an overture to the United States. What is your position today after they did not attend this conference and how will you move to better relations between you and President Obama? President Ahmadinejad: We are always seeking relationships based on mutual respect and justice. We want relations with all independent countries. The United States unilaterally severed relations and ties with Iran 29 years ago. The then-government of the United States believed that by breaking ties they would punish the people of Iran -- they would punish the people by imposing economic sanctions, thus preventing the course of development. But now, our people have demonstrated once more that they are progressively dynamic -- they are rapidly going through the course of development. The government of the United States has announced that it is going to introduce basic changes. We welcome these basic changes. In our opinion, change is necessary, especially in this current situation. Without any change in policies or in behavior, it is not possible to correct the trend of the world affairs today. We are waiting for practical changes -- we support dialogue based on mutual respect and recognized principles of justice. Question: In your statement just now you said that the veto right in the Security Council should be abolished. Could this be considered an initiative from Iran to ensure that Muslims would have a veto or would you just call on the Council to abandon this veto right which favors some states over some others? President Ahmadinejad: Thank you for the question. You see that the UN Security Council today has become very much inefficient. The Security Council failed to prevent the military attack against Lebanon and Gaza. The Security Council failed to find a solution to the problems in Iraq and in Afghanistan. The Security Council was not able to put an end to the armed conflicts in Africa. In our opinion, the reason for this inefficiency should be found in the structure of the Security Council. The right to veto is a clear example of discrimination. Why should a limited number of countries enjoy such privileges? If democracy is the criterion, then every government should have a vote as part of their rights. If the basis is participation, there should be one vote for each nation. If they think they should have and enjoy the veto right, it means that every one of these countries in their relationships with other nations are both the claimants and respondents, the prosecutors, the judges, and finally they are the ones who issue the sentence. Countries that are in dispute with the veto countries, they are losers because in our opinion the veto right is discriminatory, a flagrant example of discrimination. We say that this discrimination must be lifted and eliminated. We think that those who want to promote peace and sustainable security should achieve these goals through collective cooperation and global partnership. Participation should be based on justice and amicable ties. Currently, there are those who are not able to cope with the realities of the day; those who want to impose these inefficient mechanisms on the nations of the world. Question: I have two questions. In your statement today you likened Zionism to racism; we know that is the reason why [some] states didn't attend this conference. Could you have not avoided that reference in your statements? Secondly, here in Geneva can you confirm that it was you who said that Israel's existence should end? What are your ambitions for African countries since you were talking about multilateralism? President Ahmadinejad: We support the African nations and the people of Africa. We think Africa has tremendous and enormous resources and talents. Africa is a continent of human cultures; we think the African people and African governments without the interference of other countries are able to restore and maintain peace and security in their continent. As you said, some countries did not participate in the meeting or they left the meeting. I would like to state here my regret for that. First, the main agenda of the conference was racism. Are they supporting racism or racial discrimination? So, why shouldn't they participate in a conference aimed at discussing and eliminating racism? The second point is that the United Nations should be the symbol and manifestation of democracy and freedom of expression. Everybody must enjoy the right to freely express his or her opinions. Third we should not be intolerant of listening to the opinions of others. In my visit to New York, I participated in a conference; I listened to the speeches of the president of the United States. This is based on the teachings of our culture. We should listen to all and choose the best opinions and ideas. And those who consider themselves the advocates of freedom of expression or freedom of information -- why should they be afraid of participating in such a conference or listening to something that goes against their opinions? In my opinion, this is arrogance, selfishness and this is the root cause of many of problems existing in the world community. Two years ago during my visit to New York, the University of Colombia officially invited me to make a speech, but we came across some problems. From the very beginning, a number of participants started with abusive language and then they tried to give a bad impression to the students about my opinions and the speech I was supposed to present. The third thing that happened was that instead of allowing students and professors to ask questions clearly -- themselves -- they prepared a list of questions; the questions were read out. We think that human beings must be respected. Human society must be respected. We should have respect for different ways of thought and opinions. Why do are they impose their values on others? You said that the number of those who left the meeting was quite insignificant. They were in the minority, yet these minorities are going to impose themselves on the world. This is against moral standards and against the principles of democracy. We want to recommend that they become more tolerant and listen to others. We would be able to experience peace and brotherhood when we are tolerant and we have the capacity to listen to others. The last point, they threaten us with war. The Zionist regime threatens to take military actions but we do not believe in war. We think the solution to the global problems should be based on humanitarian solutions, democratic solutions based on the votes of the people. What about the solution to the 60-year-old Palestinian problem? We also seek a democratic solution, a referendum, free elections with the participation of all people in the occupied territories including Muslims, Jews and Christians. War and militarism are not the solutions to the problems rather they complicate the problems. Question: Mr. President. near Peshawar on Friday where Shia Muslims were at a prayers in a mosque, Sunni extremists threw a bomb and killed some 60 people. This fairly frequently happens in that country -- it can go in both directions. Now, you each time there is war between Israel and Arab countries you protest -- but what do you say when Muslims kill other Muslims? You may know over the past 60 years wars among Muslims caused 11 million deaths, whereas the wars between Israel and neighbors only killed 50,000. So, my question is should you not condemn those who kill in the name of God? President Ahmadinejad: Eleven million people. This is new to me. I've never heard that. We think the regional problem is due to foreign intervention. It's due to the imposition of a regime on people of the region. The people of Pakistan for hundreds of years have lived in peace and brotherhood but ever since NATO -- under the pretext of controlling extremism in Afghanistan -- went there, extremism has doubled and tripled. We don't consider the extremists, the bombers, Shia nor Sunni. They have no religion. They believe in no religious values. Anybody who believes in faith and religious values will love humanity; we certainly oppose the slaughter of human beings. We think that If NATO members take their forces from our region the regional countries will then be able to govern their own affairs. You know that in our region killing one person is tantamount to killing the whole of mankind -- the crime is equal to killing all human beings. If Western countries allow the regional countries to decide for themselves, rest assured you will not see extremism anymore. Question: How are the relations between your country and Albania? Are you aware that they will soon be building a nuclear power station? What do think about the initiative on the part of Tirana? Second question: Kosovo was recognized by 60 countries, most of them are members of the European Union but not by Arab countries. Do think that Iran will soon be recognizing the independence of Kosovo or will this be some sort of revenge? President Ahmadinejad: Our foreign policy is based on the fulfillment of peace, security and a lasting fraternity. We are looking for a larger solution to global and regional problems. We do believe that issues in the world and the region should be resolved with the pursuit of revenge. The issue of Kosovo falls within the same framework; it is being evaluated. Our stance certainly is in favor of helping to develop peace and brotherhood in the region. We have good ties with all countries and Albania. We have good relations with them, but the issue of cooperating for setting up a power plant power is something I am just now hearing from you. It's new to me. Question: Last year, Mr. President, for the first time an Iranian president traveled to South America. You visited my country, Ecuador. You opened diplomatic relations and I'd like to know what the context of this cooperation will be and what sort of cooperation is going to happen between our countries? President Ahmadinejad: Our relations are beginning. We are developing them quickly and soon I will make my second visit to Ecuador. Question Mr. President. I'm going to benefit from your presence here in the press conference to ask you about developments in the Iranian nuclear program. With these different reactions from the European countries and from the USA in the conference today and on different occasions, how will the negotiations continue with the Europeans and the USA about the Iranian nuclear program? Are you going to continue to insist on your position on this issue? President Ahmadinejad: I guess that you people in the media are well aware of the details. The issue was one of a political nature and appeared 30 years after the Islamic Revolution -- since democracy was established in Iran. Some European countries and some former US administrations opposed us. They defended [former Iraqi dictator] Saddam for eight years, they gave Saddam full support during the war against us even the chemical bombardment of Saddam against our people. They supported all these attacks; they never dealt with our people based on justice or equality or based on international law. The nuclear issue is one of the same issues. We know that we are a member of the IAEA and we abide by the regulations, so we expect to enjoy our legal rights. Allow me to elaborate on one point here. One of the treacherous acts that has been committed against mankind is likening atomic energy to nuclear bombs. Those who have nuclear bombs already -- they have used them already. Those very people are also using nuclear power extensively. In order to actually monopolize this energy these people link nuclear power to nuclear weaponry; they ban other nations and prevent them from accessing nuclear power. A main concern and problem of mankind today is environmental pollution, which stems from the ever-increasing use of fossil fuel whereas nuclear power is a clean source of energy, compatible and in conformity with environmental standards. We do believe that we should say no to atomic bombs and nuclear weaponry. We say anybody who possesses nuclear bombs should get rid of them. But we should say yes and welcome clean nuclear energy, so that mankind enjoys a healthy living environment and moves toward progress. Unfortunately, some Western governments are not committed to their obligations but they expect us to pledge to some commitments beyond international law and regulations and execute those. We believe that these days, world issues must be resolved through talks -- based on logic and justice and understanding. Those who did not attend the session today or those who left the conference -- those people should realize that they did not do anything good. It was not a good thing to do. They should have respected the collective will and decision of world countries. For 20 to 25 years, they have said that they wanted to isolate the Iranian nation, the reason being that the Iranian nation does not bow to the unilateral or dictatorial things they impose on nations. Today's session showed who is isolated in the world and who wants to ignore the will of the majority to impose upon the world the will of the minority. The people of Iran say the very same thing the people of the world say: law must be for everyone, justice for everyone, nuclear energy for everyone. If it is bad, nobody has the right to use it. We are ready for talks and I don't think that is the way other people are. I don't think this will affect international interaction. I would like to answer all your questions. In previous trips this is what I have done, but this visit is going to be very short -- the plenary session was prolonged. I have another appointment. I request your permission to end this session. I owe you another press conference in the near future. I will hopefully answer all your questions either in Geneva or in Tehran. Hopefully, all of you will be advocates of peace, love and brotherhood for all nations. MP/JG/AA
Shi'ites and Sunnis brothers should avoid every kind of dispute. Today, discord among us will only benefit those who follow neither Shia nor Hanafi. They neither want this nor that to exist, and know the way to sow dispute between you and us. We must pay attention that we are all Muslims and we all believe in the Qur'an; we all belive in Tawheed and must work to serve the Qur'an and Tawheed." "Today, world peace is such that all countries are under the political influence of the superpowers; they observe a control everywhere and have schemes for defeating every group. The most important of these is sowing discord among brothers. Muslims should be awake, Muslims should be alert that if a dispute takes place among Sunni and Shia brothers, it is harmful to all of us, it is harmful to all Muslims. Those who want to sow discord are neither Sunni nor Shia, they are agents of the superpowers and work for them. Those who attempt to cause discord among our Sunni and Shia brothers are people who conspire for the enemies of Islam and want the enemies of Islam to triumph over Muslims. They are the supporters of America... I hope that through considering this Islamic precept - that all Muslims are brothers - all Islamic countries will triumph against the superpowers and succeed in actualizing all Islamic ordinances. (Ayatullah Roohullah Imam Khomeini) Enemy has spent huge money for sowing discord among Muslims adding, "We know that an arrogant-related center supports financially publishing anti Sunni and Shii books. Isn't it an alert to Muslims???  "Issuance of some books based on logical reasoning as the Shii Uleam did is good but if somebody supposes that they could defend Shii teachings through backbiting Sunni followers they should know they are sowing discord among Muslims. This task is not defending Velayat but defending America and the Zionists,"    The Only Solution to protect Ummah Diginity is Unity:
We muslims are busy bickering over whether to fold or unfold our hands during namaz, while the enemy is devising ways of cuting them off. "Roohullah Khomeini"  Yes to Unity amongst muslims No to shia-sunni sectarianism & other tools of enemies & evils, which creates fitna amongst muslims  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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