Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a public gathering in the city of Abhar on April 28, 2006. In a letter to President Bush, Ahmadinejad vows that no one can make Tehran give up its nuclear technology and warns that the United States and its European allies will regret their decision if they “violate the rights of the Iranian nation.”
President Ahmadinejad, in his somewhat rambling letter to Bush, encourages him to abandon democracy in favor of theocracy. (Sam Harris might observe that America wouldn’t have far to go in that respect.) The Iranian leader also criticized Bush’s use of secret CIA prisons, and mentioned the nuclear issue only indirectly.
In his letter to President Bush, Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared that Western-style democracy had failed and that the use of secret prisons in Europe and aspects of the war in Iraq could not be reconciled with Mr. Bush’s Christian values. But the letter did not address directly the central issue that divides the two countries: Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In his wide-ranging letter, written in Persian with an English translation, Mr. Ahmadinejad at times challenges and concedes as he directs question after question to Mr. Bush but offers no concrete proposals. In Iran today, the Iranian president portrayed it as a blueprint of “suggestions for resolving the many problems facing humanity,” the Iranian news agency IRNA reported.
State Department officials who read the letter suggested that it offered an interesting window into the mentality and thinking of Iran, especially because it seemed to reflect a inclination to dwell on myriad grievances of the past rather than on the problem at hand, namely Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.
Mr. George Bush, President of the United States of America
For sometime now I have been thinking, how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena—which are being constantly debated, specially in political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hopes that it might bring about an opportunity to redress them.
Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger of God,
Feel obliged to respect human rights, Present liberalism as a civilization model, Announce one’s opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs, Make War and Terror his slogan, And finally, Work towards the establishment of a unified international community a community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day govern, But at the same time, Have countries attacked; The lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed and on the slight chance of the of a criminals in a village city, or convoy for example the entire village, city or convey set ablaze. Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is occupied, around one hundred thousand people killed, its water sources, agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put on the ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the country pushed back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women as occupation troops put in harms way, taken away from family and love ones, their hands stained with the blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that everyday some commit suicide ant those returning home suffer depression, become sickly and grapple with all sorts of aliments; while some are killed and their bodies handed of their families.
On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country. Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with.
By rough beast, May 14, 2006 at 9:50 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
to the US Marine: Ooh-rah! Support our troops! Oh yeah, rants like that from our troops really reassure me that we’re doing the right thing and that our military is the best thing since peanut butter. Nothing like having soldiers you bought and paid for saying citizens of a democracy who disagree with a government policy should be shot by those soldiers.
But I really loved this bit of ignorance: brought down the repressive regime that killed over 50 million people otherwise known as the Soviet Union without firing a shot. At the Soviet Union, you mean. But there were the wars in Greece, Korea, Vietnam, Congo, Afghanistan, Angola, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, and the wars by the governments of Chile, Argentina and Brazil against their own people wanting democracy. Millions died. Not all of them needed to. Should we have fought the Cold War, or were there any valid alternatives? I don’t know, but don’t try to tell anyone that we won without firing a shot.
Honestly, I’d feel better about supporting our troops if (1) they weren’t so ignorant and (2) they weren’t always threatening to kill me.
By A US Marine, May 13, 2006 at 8:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
All of ya are idiots…The letter is written by a mad man. If “liberal and western style democracies” have failed then why is the U.S. the greatest nation on Earth? And by greatest I mean the leader in R & D, the development of the auto, mass production, oh yea - the steam engine, freedom of thought and speech, the richest nation on Earth, the ability of our citizens to pursue and accomplish what we want, the greatest military might the world has ever seen and brought down the repressive regime that killed over 50 million people otherwise known as the Soviet Union without firing a shot. Of course all this will be discounted by all you Ahmadinejad fans. Keep your heads down. The next shot by a US Marine might be meant for you which in this Marine’s opinion would make the world a lot safer place. By the way the President does not have to have Congressional approval before sending the Marines out to kill assholes like yourselves.
On a political history not. If we (the U.S.) are so evil and failing in our political model then why is it that Afica is still eating? That nearly all communist regimes have failed soon after their conception i.e. Vietnam, North Korea, USSR just to mention a few? We could use some help solving the worlds problems. All of you nay sayers need to shit or get off the pot. I just hope and pray that we cut all funding the your great saver the U.N. and then the real truth (as this site is dedicated to) will come out. Good luck surviving without that corrupt organization.
By Ga, May 11, 2006 at 6:43 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
anonymous: “There must be something wrong with the translation. It makes it sound like Bush is a stupid liar & Ahmadinejad isnt crazy.”
I think that that you actually bring up a very serious point: that the MSM gets both sides of U.S. foreign relations wrong most of the time. Too biased FOR the U.S. party-line and AGAINST all other countries (‘cept Israel).
The MSM coverage of Iran is really bad!
Here are two other examples: Remember the train bombings in Spain? Not Al-Qaeda. Remember the train bombings in Britain? Not Al-Qaeda.
I remember this classic line from Fox right after the Britain bombing: “The suicide bomber turned out to not have a bomb.” Ha! That “suicide bomber” the Brits shot was an innocent bystander!
There are so many more examples of how rotten U.S. coverage of other countries it makes me sick.
By And Now Comes Russia.................., May 11, 2006 at 5:32 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Iran is ready to open up an oil exchange in euros selling oil “futures” contract. And NOW COMES RUSSIA!!!! Geepers who is next? Oh my> now what is BUSH going to do? Let me guess they join the axis of evil list too? Bush needs education on communication skills, please return him to the classroom. _______________________________________________
Putin proposes creation of ruble-denominated oil, gas exchange 12:38 | 10/ 05/ 2006
MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a ruble-denominated oil and natural gas stock exchange should be set up in Russia.
Speaking before both chambers of parliament, cabinet members, and reporters, Putin said: “The ruble must become a more widespread means of international transactions. To this end, we need to open a stock exchange in Russia to trade in oil, gas, and other goods to be paid for with rubles.”
“Our goods are traded on global markets. Why are not they traded in Russia?” Putin said.
By BUSH stop your satan ways OR send the twins over, May 11, 2006 at 1:49 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
BUSH You are HITLER and YOU are out of control! ______________________________________________ INTERNATIONAL 05.12.2006 Friday - ISTANBUL 00:45
US Army Troop Build up on Iraq-Iran Borders By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul Published: Thursday, May 11, 2006 zaman.com
After the Tehran administration conducted operations against the terror network Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) by crossing the Iraqi border, the US Army in Iraq is claimed to have increased the military build up of US troops on the Iranian border.
Tehran local radio announced the US stationed army units on the Iraqi border, increased reconnaissance flights in the region, and trained anti-Iran militias in Iraq. Iranian Interior Ministry confirmed the information.
Activity on the 450 kilometer long border is gradually increasing. Tehran radio also recorded that the US aircrafts reconnaissance flights could also be seen from villages along the border.
According to reports on Turkish news channel CNN Turk, Acting Iranian Interior Minister Mohammed Bakir Zulkadir also confirmed the border activity and said they are closely monitoring the situation.
The US administration, however, announced they increased the troops stationed at the border as a security measure since the insurgents smuggle stocks weapons into Iraq from Iran.
Meanwhile, both Turkey and the US have reportedly agreed to collaborate on the Iran and Syria issues. According to the Turkish official based news posted on the Middle East Newsline website, the US sought Turkeys assistance on intelligence gathering on Syria and Iran.
Accordingly, it was claimed, Turkey moved in harmony with the US in the operational phase after the monitoring.
US Defense Department officials are reportedly conducting talks over the use of Turkey as a base for a military operation in the Middle East.
By serena1313, May 9, 2006 at 10:27 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
According to the NYTimes article Ahmadinejad’s letter “declared that Western-style democracy had failed.”
It certainly failed in the Middle-East and it will fail in America without balancing both business and people.
Ahmadinejad challenges bush to reflect on whether his policies coincide with the teachings of Jesus and whether he will be proud of the legacy of accomplishments he will leave behind.
The NYTimes tells us Ahmadinejad asks question after question, but offers no proposals. The questions are statements in the form of questions for bush to contemplate, deliberate and appraise his decisions and the effect they have had on the middle-east and its citizens.
Some of Ahmadinejad questions are profound—others are questions American’s should have been and/or should be asking of Bush & our government ...
Speaking of questions: Americans might start asking what effect our actions are having on the area? Is democracy flourishing ? why not ? why are we really there ? what is our real goal? what about the Iraqi people ? why no security and stability? why wasn’t their infrastructure repaired while the troops had the chance?
If Iran is 6 to 10 plus years away from producing a nuclear bomb why rush into yet another war while currently embroiled in two—is it practical to engage in another? what about our soldiers—they are worn out!
I do agree with “Vali R. Nasr, adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, [who] said Mr. Ahmadinejad’s motives appear to be to deliver an opening salvo to the United States and make the point that Washington has no viable option but to talk to Iran. But in doing so, he needed to strike the necessary tone, by lecturing Mr. Bush so as not to be seen as being conciliatory in approaching him, Mr. Nasr said.”
“The most important thing that is going to be seen is that he is showing the capability to speak truth to power,” said Mr. Nasr.
“He has the audacity to call Iraq a lie and to challenge President Bush to justify support for Israel and why he questions Iran’s technological achievements.”
Audacity? He has the audacity to speak truth to power ... to ask difficult questions ... something our own representatives in Washington are loathe to do. Good for Ahmadinejad!
Now will Bush have the audacity to talk with the Iranian president! It would be an auspicious beginning, but Iam not holding my breath.
By Gunther T. Goat, May 9, 2006 at 7:39 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Interesting letter. A lot of truth in what he says about Bush’s actions, lack of important thoughts, lack of integrity, etc. I think he is wrong about Israel, though. If the Muslims would quit blowing people up, things would mellow out there. What I see is that on every edge of the world of Islam the Muslims are blowing up and killing their neighbors. It isn’t just Israel. They are fighting with Hindus, atheists, and everybody else. They don’t know how to turn the other cheek, and believe all that silly crap about virgins in heaven.
Joe the Plumber to Report on Gaza—Seriously
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By rough beast, May 14, 2006 at 9:50 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
to the US Marine: Ooh-rah! Support our troops! Oh yeah, rants like that from our troops really reassure me that we’re doing the right thing and that our military is the best thing since peanut butter. Nothing like having soldiers you bought and paid for saying citizens of a democracy who disagree with a government policy should be shot by those soldiers.
But I really loved this bit of ignorance: brought down the repressive regime that killed over 50 million people otherwise known as the Soviet Union without firing a shot. At the Soviet Union, you mean. But there were the wars in Greece, Korea, Vietnam, Congo, Afghanistan, Angola, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, and the wars by the governments of Chile, Argentina and Brazil against their own people wanting democracy. Millions died. Not all of them needed to. Should we have fought the Cold War, or were there any valid alternatives? I don’t know, but don’t try to tell anyone that we won without firing a shot.
Honestly, I’d feel better about supporting our troops if (1) they weren’t so ignorant and (2) they weren’t always threatening to kill me.
Report thisBy A US Marine, May 13, 2006 at 8:07 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
All of ya are idiots…The letter is written by a mad man. If “liberal and western style democracies” have failed then why is the U.S. the greatest nation on Earth? And by greatest I mean the leader in R & D, the development of the auto, mass production, oh yea - the steam engine, freedom of thought and speech, the richest nation on Earth, the ability of our citizens to pursue and accomplish what we want, the greatest military might the world has ever seen and brought down the repressive regime that killed over 50 million people otherwise known as the Soviet Union without firing a shot. Of course all this will be discounted by all you Ahmadinejad fans. Keep your heads down. The next shot by a US Marine might be meant for you which in this Marine’s opinion would make the world a lot safer place. By the way the President does not have to have Congressional approval before sending the Marines out to kill assholes like yourselves.
On a political history not. If we (the U.S.) are so evil and failing in our political model then why is it that Afica is still eating? That nearly all communist regimes have failed soon after their conception i.e. Vietnam, North Korea, USSR just to mention a few? We could use some help solving the worlds problems. All of you nay sayers need to shit or get off the pot. I just hope and pray that we cut all funding the your great saver the U.N. and then the real truth (as this site is dedicated to) will come out. Good luck surviving without that corrupt organization.
SSGT Butterworth
Report thisUSMC
By Ga, May 11, 2006 at 6:43 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
anonymous: “There must be something wrong with the translation. It makes it sound like Bush is a stupid liar & Ahmadinejad isnt crazy.”
I think that that you actually bring up a very serious point: that the MSM gets both sides of U.S. foreign relations wrong most of the time. Too biased FOR the U.S. party-line and AGAINST all other countries (‘cept Israel).
The MSM coverage of Iran is really bad!
Here are two other examples: Remember the train bombings in Spain? Not Al-Qaeda. Remember the train bombings in Britain? Not Al-Qaeda.
I remember this classic line from Fox right after the Britain bombing: “The suicide bomber turned out to not have a bomb.” Ha! That “suicide bomber” the Brits shot was an innocent bystander!
There are so many more examples of how rotten U.S. coverage of other countries it makes me sick.
Report thisBy And Now Comes Russia.................., May 11, 2006 at 5:32 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Iran is ready to open up an oil exchange in euros selling oil “futures” contract. And NOW COMES RUSSIA!!!! Geepers who is next?
Oh my> now what is BUSH going to do? Let me guess they join the axis of evil list too?
Bush needs education on communication skills, please return him to the classroom.
_______________________________________________
Putin proposes creation of ruble-denominated oil, gas exchange
12:38 | 10/ 05/ 2006
MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a ruble-denominated oil and natural gas stock exchange should be set up in Russia.
Speaking before both chambers of parliament, cabinet members, and reporters, Putin said: “The ruble must become a more widespread means of international transactions. To this end, we need to open a stock exchange in Russia to trade in oil, gas, and other goods to be paid for with rubles.”
“Our goods are traded on global markets. Why are not they traded in Russia?” Putin said.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060510/47915635.html
Report thisBy BUSH stop your satan ways OR send the twins over, May 11, 2006 at 1:49 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
BUSH
You are HITLER and YOU are out of control!
______________________________________________
INTERNATIONAL 05.12.2006 Friday - ISTANBUL 00:45
US Army Troop Build up on Iraq-Iran Borders
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Thursday, May 11, 2006
zaman.com
After the Tehran administration conducted operations against the terror network Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) by crossing the Iraqi border, the US Army in Iraq is claimed to have increased the military build up of US troops on the Iranian border.
Tehran local radio announced the US stationed army units on the Iraqi border, increased reconnaissance flights in the region, and trained anti-Iran militias in Iraq. Iranian Interior Ministry confirmed the information.
Activity on the 450 kilometer long border is gradually increasing. Tehran radio also recorded that the US aircrafts reconnaissance flights could also be seen from villages along the border.
According to reports on Turkish news channel CNN Turk, Acting Iranian Interior Minister Mohammed Bakir Zulkadir also confirmed the border activity and said they are closely monitoring the situation.
The US administration, however, announced they increased the troops stationed at the border as a security measure since the insurgents smuggle stocks weapons into Iraq from Iran.
Meanwhile, both Turkey and the US have reportedly agreed to collaborate on the Iran and Syria issues. According to the Turkish official based news posted on the Middle East Newsline website, the US sought Turkeys assistance on intelligence gathering on Syria and Iran.
Accordingly, it was claimed, Turkey moved in harmony with the US in the operational phase after the monitoring.
US Defense Department officials are reportedly conducting talks over the use of Turkey as a base for a military operation in the Middle East.
Report thisBy anonymous, May 10, 2006 at 11:00 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
There must be something wrong with the translation. It makes it sound like Bush is a stupid liar & Ahmadinejad isn’t crazy.
Report thisBy serena1313, May 9, 2006 at 10:27 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
According to the NYTimes article Ahmadinejad’s letter “declared that Western-style democracy had failed.”
It certainly failed in the Middle-East and it will fail in America without balancing both business and people.
Ahmadinejad challenges bush to reflect on whether his policies coincide with the teachings of Jesus and whether he will be proud of the legacy of accomplishments he will leave behind.
The NYTimes tells us Ahmadinejad asks question after question, but offers no proposals. The questions are statements in the form of questions for bush to contemplate, deliberate and appraise his decisions and the effect they have had on the middle-east and its citizens.
Some of Ahmadinejad questions are profound—others are questions American’s should have been and/or should be asking of Bush & our government ...
Speaking of questions: Americans might start asking what effect our actions are having on the area? Is democracy flourishing ? why not ? why are we really there ? what is our real goal? what about the Iraqi people ? why no security and stability? why wasn’t their infrastructure repaired while the troops had the chance?
If Iran is 6 to 10 plus years away from producing a nuclear bomb why rush into yet another war while currently embroiled in two—is it practical to engage in another? what about our soldiers—they are worn out!
I do agree with “Vali R. Nasr, adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, [who] said Mr. Ahmadinejad’s motives appear to be to deliver an opening salvo to the United States and make the point that Washington has no viable option but to talk to Iran. But in doing so, he needed to strike the necessary tone, by lecturing Mr. Bush so as not to be seen as being conciliatory in approaching him, Mr. Nasr said.”
“The most important thing that is going to be seen is that he is showing the capability to speak truth to power,” said Mr. Nasr.
“He has the audacity to call Iraq a lie and to challenge President Bush to justify support for Israel and why he questions Iran’s technological achievements.”
Audacity? He has the audacity to speak truth to power ... to ask difficult questions ... something our own representatives in Washington are loathe to do. Good for Ahmadinejad!
Now will Bush have the audacity to talk with the Iranian president! It would be an auspicious beginning, but Iam not holding my breath.
Report thisBy Gunther T. Goat, May 9, 2006 at 7:39 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Interesting letter. A lot of truth in what he says about Bush’s actions, lack of important thoughts, lack of integrity, etc. I think he is wrong about Israel, though. If the Muslims would quit blowing people up, things would mellow out there. What I see is that on every edge of the world of Islam the Muslims are blowing up and killing their neighbors. It isn’t just Israel. They are fighting with Hindus, atheists, and everybody else. They don’t know how to turn the other cheek, and believe all that silly crap about virgins in heaven.
Report this