The Radical Left Must Show Solidarity with Iran [Update]
AHMADINEJAD: THE WEST IS IN THE DARK AGES15 JANUARY: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the radical President of Iran, launched an angry tirade against the West yesterday, accusing it of a 'dark ages' mentality and threatening retaliation unless it recognised his country's nuclear ambitions.
In a blistering assault, Ahmadinejad repeated the Islamic regime's position that it would press ahead with a nuclear programme despite threats by the European Union and United States to refer Iran to the UN Security Council, where it could face possible sanctions.
He added that Iran was a 'civilised nation' that did not need such weapons. Iran insists its nuclear programme is a wholly peaceful attempt to generate electricity.
Addressing a rare press conference in Tehran, he appeared to issue thinly veiled threats against Western countries, implying that they could face serious consequences unless they backed down.
'You need us more than we need you. All of you today need the Iranian nation,' Ahmadinejad said. 'Why are you putting on airs? You don't have that might.'
Reminding the West that it had supported the monarchical regime of the former Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi - overthrown in the 1979 Islamic revolution - he went on:
'Those same powers have done their utmost to oppress us, but this nation, because of its dignity, has forgiven them to a large extent.
'But if they persist with their present stance, maybe the day will come when the Iranian nation will reconsider.' He added: 'If they want to deny us our rights, we have ways to secure those rights.'
Ahmadinejad, the radica lIslamist populist elected last June, did not elaborate on his apparent threat. But Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil producer and analysts have predicted that any disruption to its supplies could have a grave impact on global markets.
The Iranian President's outburst - the latest in a series asserting Iran's nuclear rights and questioning Israel's right to exist - came after the EU last week effectively abandoned two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the Iranians.
The move came after Iran decided to remove UN seals at a nuclear plant in Natanz, enabling it to resume research into uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to produce a nuclear weapon.
The EU, backed by the United States, is calling for an emergency meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to discuss Iran's possible referral to the security council.
The next phase of the intensifying diplomatic pressure on Iran takes place in London tomorrow when officials from the EU, US, Russia and China gather to discuss future strategy.
Ahmadinejad accused the West of misusing bodies such as the UN and IAEA. 'Why are you damaging the good name of the security council and IAEA for you own political purposes?' he asked.
'Don't take away the credibility of legitimate forums. Your arsenals are full to the brim, yet when it's the turn of a nation such as mine to develop peaceful nuclear technology you object and resort to threats.'
In an apparent effort to cast the nuclear issue as one that could unite all Iranians and appeal to nationalist sentiment, Ahmadinejad spoke against the backdrop of a picture of the Damavand volcano, widely seen as a patriotic, non-religious symbol.
But he did not withdraw his remarks, warning that Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on Friday condemned his comments as 'unacceptable', would be tried as 'terrorists' and 'war criminals' due to their support of Israel. [Robert Tait @ Observer]
AHMADINEJAD: WESTERN IMPERIALISM WANTS TO CONTROL PERSIAN GULF
14 JANUARY: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that big powers intend to dominate the strategic region of the Persian Gulf, IRNA reported.
Addressing the elite in this southern province, Ahmadinejad termed the Persian Gulf as the most important and sensitive political and economic region in the world.
"The Persian Gulf enjoys a special geopolitical and economic status. The enemies have made huge investments to attain their goals and to this end have been intensifying grudge and hostility among regional Muslim states," he said.
Stressing that the Persian Gulf should be a gulf of peace and friendship, he said, "We seek peace and tranquility in the region and see no reason for grudge among regional Muslim states.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran strives to have friendly ties with all its neighboring states in the Persian Gulf and to prepare grounds for the withdrawal of satanic forces.
"We call for the highest level of cooperation as well as popular political and economic relations with the Persian Gulf littoral states and support any move leading to expansion of ties among the nations of this region.
"We are a Muslim nation... and the Islamic Revolution is not restricted to a specific geographical region and we call for mutual ties with all nations based on justice.
"Those who want peace in the region should know that durable and lasting tranquility will not be possible unless it is based on justice and belief in God."
The president added, "We are against hegemonic policies. Not only we will not give in to force but also we will help other nations not to surrender to hegemony. We should play our role in materializing international peace.
"Today, all world nations are interested in the culture manifested in Iran. Our nation, which is a vanguard of peace and justice in the world, cannot be indifferent to bullying, aggressions and injustice.
"The Iranian nation cannot remain indifferent to stockpiling of chemical and biological weapons by those who claim to be supporters of human rights."
Referring to his proposal on setting up a committee at the United Nations to investigate the human rights conditions in Western and European countries, he said:
We are duty-bound to play our role in promoting justice. Those whose depots are filled with chemical weapons and their hands are tainted with the blood of this nation's offsprings talk about human rights and level accusations against us.We, however, will stand against them. The hegemonic powers have become angry and shown reaction to our proposal on investigation into the human rights conditions in their countries and holding a dispute with them in this regard.
They are annoyed with the brave stance taken by the Iranian nation and government and are threatening us.
RAFSANJANI: IRAN WILL BREAK DOWN COLONIAL TABOOSIran's Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Thursday said Iran would break down the colonial taboos against using nuclear energy peacefully.
IRNA said the former president, who made the statement in his short talk with reporters, added the decision has been made by the council.
"To me, colonial attitude is the main reason behind the West's opposition to Iran's peaceful nuclear activities," he added.
"They plan to deprive the Third World countries particularly the Islamic states of nuclear technology, keeping them always some steps behind."
Rafsanjani put great emphasis on Iran's inalienable right to have access to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
RAFSANJANI: THIS ASSUALT ON US LIES IN THE COLONIALIST NATURE & POLICY OF THE WESTFormer president Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said today Iran will get "with wisdom its rights with respect to its nuclear program," IRNA reported.
"The arrogance and its allies will be regretful if they obstruct the Iranian nation's access to the latest science, said Rafsanjani in his second sermon to a large group of worshipers at the auspicious Eid-ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) congregational prayers at the Tehran University Campus. "We cannot give up our rights," he added.
The Expediency Council Chairman dismissed the wide-scale hue and cry launched by the western political, military and economic circles against Iran since Tuesday after Tehran started nuclear research activities.
Calling as "heavy and unprecedented" the anti-Iran propaganda, Rafsanjani said, "In the age of democracy, the natural right of a country, which wants to make use of the latest sciences, is subjected to assaults."
He said the motive behind assaults on Iran goes beyond opposition raised against nuclear programs of the country. "The root cause of these assaults lies in the colonialist nature and policies of the West, whose plan is to keep countries backward."
Rafsanjani said the main motive behind their attacks is to punish a country which has stood on its own and has been able to gain access to the latest science and technology and broken the talisman of ignorance.