Ahmadinejad announces the dawn of the era of intellect, asks for American cooperation in the war against terror

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's president said Tuesday the world was "entering an era of dialogue" and that his country would welcome talks with its longtime adversary, the United States, if they are based on mutual respect.

...

"If you really want to fight terrorism, come and cooperate with the Iranian nation, which is the biggest victim of terrorism so that terrorism is eliminated. ... If you want to confront nuclear weapons ... you need to stand beside Iran so it can introduce a correct path to you," he said.

Ahmadinejad said the world was at a "crossroads" because it had been proven that military power has not been successful — a reference to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But now, he said, "the world is entering an era of dialogue and intellect."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran

[almaty 19]

"the world is entering an era of dialogue and intellect."

nice if it was true

[Yoink 7]

propaganda... he is up for re-election in this summer

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

propaganda... he is up for re-election in this summer

Related: Khatami to Challenge Ahmadinejad for Job

[Yoink 7]

propaganda... he is up for re-election in this summer

Related: Khatami to Challenge Ahmadinejad for Job

Khatami is a reformist and Ahmadinejad is basically copying his rhetoric to undercut that support

[alienlovechild 75]

"If you really want to fight terrorism, come and cooperate with the Iranian nation, which is the biggest victim of terrorism so that terrorism is eliminated. ... If you want to confront nuclear weapons ... you need to stand beside Iran so it can introduce a correct path to you," he said

Which terrorist groups are targeting Iran? Are they planting enhanced IEDs along their roads? How many Iranians were killed by terrorists in the last few years?

[GiGii 4]

"If you really want to fight terrorism, come and cooperate with the Iranian nation, which is the biggest victim of terrorism so that terrorism is eliminated. ... If you want to confront nuclear weapons ... you need to stand beside Iran so it can introduce a correct path to you," he said.

Yes, the US will surely want to hear the "correct path for you". I wonder how open for dialogue he'd be if Obama said he'd like to introduce the plan for Iran to follow.

[almaty 19]

i assume, his distortion, is that the sanctions imposed on iran due to their nuclear program is terrorism

[Yoink 7]

Iran’s former president was set upon by an angry stick-wielding mob today amid celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on the streets of Tehran.

The attack on Mohammed Khatami came just two days after the reformist cleric announced he would be running against the hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June's presidential elections.

Mr Khatami, then a little known cleric, came to global attention when he was elected to the presidency in 1997, capturing almost 70 per cent of the vote. Succeeded in 2005 by Mr Ahmadinejad, he blamed hardline elements in the clerical establishment for obstructing his reformist agenda.

During the revolutionary celebrations, attackers waving sticks approached the cleric, shouting “Death to Khatami. We do not want American government.”

According to Mr Khatami’s Baran Foundation, the attackers were repelled by his own supporters, who chanted, “Khatami, Khatami, we support you.”

Mr Khatami was escorted from the street by his bodyguards who took him to shelter in a nearby building.

The attack emerged as Mr Ahmadinejad led Iran in its celebrations by hinting at a softening of relations towards the US.

The President – internationally isolated because of his country's nuclear ambitions, sponsorship of Hezbollah and Hamas and threats towards Israel – said that he was ready for talks, but only if US policy changes dramatically.

"It is clear that the change [by Obama] must be fundamental and not tactical," the Iranian leader said, in a speech in Tehran. "The Iranian nation will welcome true changes and is ready for dialogue in a climate of equality and mutual respect."

However, cloaking his new rhetoric with threats to respond if the Obama Administration follows the policies of his predecessor, he added: "The world does not want the dark era of (former President Bush) to be repeated. If some people seek to repeat that experience... they should know they will face a much worse fate than that of Bush."

Iran's political system is a combination of theocracy and democratic republic, with the country holding elections for the presidency and Parliament. However, its clerics and – ultimately – its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, decide on the candidates and disqualify those considered contrary to Islamic values.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Actually, Iran's "democratic republic" is more akin to Indian Presidential "election"--as ruling party (in practice) decides who gets selected as India's President, mullahs-council decides about presidency AND parliament in Iran.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There is a good chance that many in the anti-war crowd will latch onto Ahmadinejad's words as a repudiation of the Bush goverment, and see the Persian President as some kind of hero, much as they do with Hugo Chavez, in Venezuela, or as Fidel Castro, in Cuba.

[alienlovechild 75]

There is a good chance that many in the anti-war crowd will latch onto Ahmadinejad's words as a repudiation of the Bush goverment, and see the Persian President as some kind of hero, much as they do with Hugo Chavez, in Venezuela, or as Fidel Castro, in Cuba.

Some folks on the left lionize certain despots some their own reasons. I don't know of many on the right who currently sing the praises of dictators unless we have to back them for other policy reasons.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There is a good chance that many in the anti-war crowd will latch onto Ahmadinejad's words as a repudiation of the Bush goverment, and see the Persian President as some kind of hero, much as they do with Hugo Chavez, in Venezuela, or as Fidel Castro, in Cuba.

Some folks on the left lionize certain despots some their own reasons. I don't know of many on the right who currently sing the praises of dictators unless we have to back them for other policy reasons.

We miss you, Ferdinand E. Marcos!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

There is a good chance that many in the anti-war crowd will latch onto Ahmadinejad's words as a repudiation of the Bush goverment, and see the Persian President as some kind of hero, much as they do with Hugo Chavez, in Venezuela, or as Fidel Castro, in Cuba.

Some folks on the left lionize certain despots some their own reasons. I don't know of many on the right who currently sing the praises of dictators unless we have to back them for other policy reasons.

which of course is a perennial state of affairs.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

group hug