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TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH AT THE
UNITED NATIONS BY MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, PRESIDENT OF IRAN
THE WAR CRIMES OF THE "BIG POWERS" WHICH THE U.N. DOES
NOT PROTEST OR INTERDICT
The following is a transcript of remarks by Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the United Nations
General Assembly in New York, Sept. 25, 2007
http://revisionistreview.blogspot.com/2007/09/iranian-presidents-speech-to-un-sept.html
Madam President, Distinguished Heads of State and
Government, Distinguished Heads of Delegation,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I praise the Merciful, All-Knowing and Almighty God for
blessing me with another opportunity to address this
Assembly on behalf of the great nation of Iran and to
bring a number of issues to the attention of the
international community.
I also praise the Almighty for the increasing vigilance
of peoples across the globe, their courageous presence
in different international settings, and the brave
expression of their views and aspirations regarding
global issues.
Today, humanity passionately craves commitment to the
Truth, devotion to God, quest for Justice and respect
for the dignity of human beings. Rejection of domination
and aggression, defense of the oppressed, and longing
for peace constitute the legitimate demand of the
peoples of the world, particularly the new generations
and the spirited youth, who aspire a world free from
decadence, aggression and injustice, and replete with
love and compassion. The youth have a right to seek
justice and the Truth; and they have a right to build
their own future on the foundations of love, compassion
and tranquility. And, I praise the Almighty for this
immense blessing.
What afflicts humanity today is certainly not compatible
with human dignity; the Almighty has not created human
beings so that they could transgress against others and
oppress them.
By causing war and conflict, some are fast expanding
their domination, accumulating greater wealth and
usurping all the resources, while others endure the
resulting poverty, suffering and misery. Some seek to
rule the world relying on weapons and threats, while
others live in perpetual insecurity and danger.
Some occupy the homeland of others, thousands of
kilometers away from their borders, interfere in their
affairs and control their oil and other resources and
strategic routes, while others are bombarded daily in
their own homes; their children murdered in the streets
and alleys of their own country and their homes reduced
to rubble.
Such behavior is not worthy of human beings and runs
counter to the Truth, to justice and to human dignity.
The fundamental question is that under such conditions,
where should the oppressed seek justice? Who, or what
organization defends the rights of the oppressed, and
suppresses acts of aggression and oppression? Where is
the seat of global justice? A brief glance at a few
examples of the most pressing global issues can further
illustrate the problem.
A. The unbridled expansion of nuclear, chemical and
biological weapons
Some powers proudly announce their production of second
and third generations of nuclear weapons. What do they
need these weapons for? Is the development and
stockpiling of these deadly weapons designed to promote
peace and democracy? Or, are these weapons, in fact,
instruments of coercion and threat against other peoples
and governments? How long should the people of the world
live with the nightmare of nuclear, biological and
chemical weapons? What bounds the powers producing and
possessing these weapons?
How can they be held accountable before the
international community? And, are the inhabitants of
these countries content with the waste of their wealth
and resources for the production of such destructive
arsenals? Is it not possible to rely on justice, ethics
and wisdom instead of these instruments of death? Aren't
wisdom and justice more compatible with peace and
tranquility than nuclear, chemical and biological
weapons? If wisdom, ethics and justice prevail, then
oppression and aggression will be uprooted, threats will
wither away and no reason will remain for conflict. This
is a solid proposition because most global conflicts
emanate from injustice, and from the powerful, not being
contented with their own rights, striving to devour the
rights of others. People across the globe embrace
justice and are willing to sacrifice for its sake.
Would it not be easier for global powers to ensure their
longevity and win hearts and minds through the
championing of real promotion of justice, compassion and
peace, than through continuing the proliferation of
nuclear and chemical weapons and the threat of their
use? The experience of the threat and the use of nuclear
weapons is before us. Has it achieved anything for the
perpetrators other than exacerbation of tension, hatred
and animosity among nations?
B. Occupation of countries and exacerbation of
hostilities
Occupation of countries, including Iraq, has continued
for the last three years. Not a day goes by without
hundreds of people getting killed in cold blood. The
occupiers are incapable of establishing security in
Iraq. Despite the establishment of the lawful Government
and National Assembly of Iraq, there are covert and
overt efforts to heighten insecurity, magnify and
aggravate differences within Iraqi society, and
instigate civil strife.
There is no indication that the occupiers have the
necessary political will to eliminate the sources of
instability. Numerous terrorists were apprehended by the
Government of Iraq, only to be let loose under various
pretexts by the occupiers. It seems that intensification
of hostilities and terrorism serves as a pretext for the
continued presence of foreign forces in Iraq. Where can
the people of Iraq seek refuge, and from whom should the
Government of Iraq seek justice?
Who can ensure Iraq's security? Insecurity in Iraq
affects the entire region. Can the Security Council play
a role in restoring peace and security in Iraq, while
the occupiers are themselves permanent members of the
Council? Can the Security Council adopt a fair decision
in this regard?
Consider the situation in Palestine: The roots of the
Palestinian problem go back to the Second World War.
Under the pretext of protecting some of the survivors of
that War, the land of Palestine was occupied through
war, aggression and the displacement of millions of its
inhabitants; it was placed under the control of some of
the War survivors, bringing even larger population
groups from elsewhere in the world, who had not been
even affected by the Second World War; and a government
was established in the territory of others with a
population collected from across the world at the
expense of driving millions of the rightful inhabitants
of the land into a diaspora and homelessness.
This is a great tragedy with hardly a precedent in
history. Refugees continue to live in temporary refugee
camps, and many have died still hoping to one day return
to their land. Can any logic, law or legal reasoning
justify this tragedy? Can any member of the United
Nations accept such a tragedy occurring in their own
homeland?
The pretexts for the creation of the regime occupying
Al-Qods Al-Sharif are so weak that its proponents want
to silence any voice trying to merely speak about them,
as they are concerned that shedding light on the facts
would undermine the raison d'être of this regime, as it
has. The tragedy does not end with the establishment of
a regime in the territory of others.
Regrettably, from its inception, that regime has been a
constant source of threat and insecurity in the Middle
East region, waging war and spilling blood and impeding
the progress of regional countries, and has also been
used by some powers as an instrument of division,
coercion, and pressure on the people of the region.
Reference to these historical realities may cause some
disquiet among supporters of this regime. But these are
sheer facts and not myth. History has unfolded before
our eyes. Worst yet, is the blanket and unwarranted
support provided to this regime.
Just watch what is happening in the Palestinian land.
People are being bombarded in their own homes and their
children murdered in their own streets and alleys. But
no authority, not even the Security Council, can afford
them any support or protection. Why?
At the same time, a Government is formed democratically
and through the free choice of the electorate in a part
of the Palestinian territory. But instead of receiving
the support of the so-called champions of democracy, its
Ministers and Members of Parliament are illegally
abducted and incarcerated in full view of the
international community.
Which council or international organization stands up to
protect this brutally besieged Government? And why can't
the Security Council take any steps?
Let me here address Lebanon. For thirty-three long
days, the Lebanese lived under the barrage of fire and
bombs and close to 1.5 million of them were displaced;
meanwhile some members of the Security Council
practically chose a path that provided ample opportunity
for the aggressor to achieve its objectives militarily.
We witnessed that the Security Council of the United
Nations was practically incapacitated by certain powers
to even call for a ceasefire. The Security Council sat
idly by for so many days, witnessing the cruel scenes of
atrocities against the Lebanese while tragedies such as
Qana were persistently repeated. Why?
In all these cases, the answer is self-evident. When the
power behind the hostilities is itself a permanent
member of the Security Council, how then can this
Council fulfill its responsibilities?
C. Lack of respect for the rights of members of the
international community
I now wish to refer to some of the grievances of the
Iranian people and speak to the injustices against them.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member of the IAEA and
is committed to the NPT. All our nuclear activities are
transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of
IAEA inspectors. Why then are there objections to our
legally recognized rights? Which governments object to
these rights? Governments that themselves benefit from
nuclear energy and the fuel cycle. Some of them have
abused nuclear technology for non-peaceful ends
including the production of nuclear bombs, and some even
have a bleak record of using them against humanity.
Which organization or Council should address these
injustices? Is the Security Council in a position to
address them? Can it stop violations of the inalienable
rights of countries? Can it prevent certain powers from
impeding scientific progress of other countries? The
abuse of the Security Council, as an instrument of
threat and coercion, is indeed a source of grave
concern.
Some permanent members of the Security Council, even
when they are themselves parties to international
disputes, conveniently threaten others with the Security
Council and declare, even before any decision by the
Council, the condemnation of their opponents by the
Council. The question is: what can justify such
exploitation of the Security Council, and doesn't it
erode the credibility and effectiveness of the Council?
Can such behavior contribute to the ability of the
Council to maintain security?
A review of the preceding historical realities would
lead to the conclusion that regrettably, justice has
become a victim of force and aggression. Many global
arrangements have become unjust, discriminatory and
irresponsible as a result of undue pressure from some of
the powerful; Threats with nuclear weapons and other
instruments of war by some powers have taken the place
of respect for the rights of nations and the maintenance
and promotion of peace and tranquility;
For some powers, claims of promotion of human rights and
democracy can only last as long as they can be used as
instruments of pressure and intimidation against other
nations. But when it comes to the interests of the
claimants, concepts such as democracy, the right of
self-determination of nations, respect for the rights
and intelligence of peoples, international law and
justice have no place or value. This is blatantly
manifested in the way the elected Government of the
Palestinian people is treated as well as in the support
extended to the Zionist regime. It does not matter if
people are murdered in Palestine, turned into refugees,
captured, imprisoned or besieged; that must not violate
human rights.
Nations are not equal in exercising their rights
recognized by international law. Enjoying these rights
is dependent on the whim of certain major powers.
Apparently the Security Council can only be used to
ensure the security and the rights of some big powers.
But when the oppressed are decimated under bombardment,
the Security Council must remain aloof and not even call
for a ceasefire. Is this not a tragedy of historic
proportions for the Security Council, which is charged
with maintaining the security of countries?
The prevailing order of contemporary global interactions
is such that certain powers equate themselves with the
international community, and consider their decisions
superseding that of over 180 countries. They consider
themselves the masters and rulers of the entire world
and other nations as only second class in the world
order.
The question needs to be asked: if the Governments of
the United States or the United Kingdom who are
permanent members of the Security Council, commit
aggression, occupation and violation of international
law, which of the organs of the UN can take them to
account?
Can a Council in which they are privileged members
address their violations? Has this ever happened?
In fact, we have repeatedly seen the reverse. If they
have differences with a nation or state, they drag it to
the Security Council and as claimants, arrogate to
themselves simultaneously the roles of prosecutor, judge
and executioner. Is this a just order? Can there be a
more vivid case of discrimination and more clear
evidence of injustice?
Regrettably, the persistence of some hegemonic powers in
imposing their exclusionist policies on international
decision making mechanisms, including the Security
Council, has resulted in a growing mistrust in global
public opinion, undermining the credibility and
effectiveness of this most universal system of
collective security.
How long can such a situation last in the world? It is
evident that the behavior of some powers constitutes the
greatest challenge before the Security Council, the
entire organization and its affiliated agencies.
The present structure and working methods of the
Security Council, which are legacies of the Second World
War, are not responsive to the expectations of the
current generation and the contemporary needs of
humanity.
Today,
it is undeniable that the Security Council, most
critically and urgently, needs legitimacy and
effectiveness. It must be acknowledged that as long as
the Council is unable to act on behalf of the entire
international community in a transparent, just and
democratic manner, it will neither be legitimate nor
effective. Furthermore, the direct relation between the
abuse of veto and the erosion of the legitimacy and
effectiveness of the Council has now been clearly and
undeniably established. We cannot, and should not,
expect the eradication, or even containment, of
injustice, imposition and oppression without reforming
the structure and working methods of the Council.
Is it appropriate to expect this generation to submit to
the decisions and arrangements established over half a
century ago? Doesn't this generation or future
generations have the right to decide themselves about
the world in which they want to live?
Today, serious reform in the structure and working
methods of the Security Council is, more than ever
before, necessary. Justice and democracy dictate that
the role of the General Assembly, as the highest organ
of the United Nations, must be respected. The General
Assembly can then, through appropriate mechanisms, take
on the task of reforming the Organization and
particularly rescue the Security Council from its
current state. In the interim, the Non-Aligned Movement,
the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the
African continent should each have a representative as a
permanent member of the Security Council, with veto
privilege. The resulting balance would hopefully prevent
further trampling of the rights of nations.
It is essential that spirituality and ethics find their
rightful place in international relations. Without
ethics and spirituality, attained in light of the
teachings of Divine prophets, justice, freedom and human
rights cannot be guaranteed.
Resolution of contemporary human crises lies in
observing ethics and spirituality and the governance of
righteous people of high competence and piety.
Should respect for the rights of human beings become the
predominant objective, then injustice, ill-temperament,
aggression and war will fade away.
Human beings are all God's creatures and are all endowed
with dignity and respect. No one has superiority over
others. No individual or states can arrogate to
themselves special privileges, nor can they disregard
the rights of others and, through influence and
pressure, position themselves as the "international
community".
Citizens of Asia, Africa, Europe and America are all
equal. Over 6 billion inhabitants of the earth are all
equal and worthy of respect. Justice and protection of
human dignity are the two pillars in maintaining
sustainable peace, security and tranquility in the
world. It is for this reason that we state:
Sustainable peace and tranquility in the world can only
be attained through justice, spirituality, ethics,
compassion and respect for human dignity.
All nations and states are entitled to peace, progress
and security. We are all members of the international
community and we are all entitled to insist on the
creation of a climate of compassion, love and justice.
All members of the United Nations are affected by both
the bitter and the sweet events and developments in
today's world. We can adopt firm and logical decisions,
thereby improving the prospects of a better life for
current and future generations.
Together, we can eradicate the roots of bitter maladies
and afflictions, and instead, through the promotion of
universal and lasting values such as ethics,
spirituality and justice, allow our nations to taste the
sweetness of a better future.
Peoples, driven by their divine nature, intrinsically
seek Good, Virtue, Perfection and Beauty. Relying on our
peoples, we can take giant steps towards reform and pave
the road for human perfection. Whether we like it or
not, justice, peace and virtue will sooner or later
prevail in the world with the will of Almighty God. It
is imperative, and also desirable, that we too
contribute to the promotion of justice and virtue.
The Almighty and Merciful God, who is the Creator of the
Universe, is also its Lord and Ruler. Justice is His
command. He commands His creatures to support one
another in Good, virtue and piety, and not in decadence
and corruption.
He commands His creatures to enjoin one another to
righteousness and virtue and not to sin and
transgression. All Divine prophets from the Prophet Adam
(peace be upon him) to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon
him), to the Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him),
to the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), have all
called humanity to monotheism, justice, brotherhood,
love and compassion. Is it not possible to build a
better world based on monotheism, justice, love and
respect for the rights of human beings, and thereby
transform animosities into friendship?
I emphatically declare that today's world, more than
ever before, longs for just and righteous people with
love for all humanity; and above all longs for the
perfect righteous human being and the real savior who
has been promised to all peoples and who will establish
justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet.
0h, Almighty God, all men and women are Your creatures
and You have ordained their guidance and salvation.
Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for justice, the
perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us
among his followers and among those who strive for his
return and his cause. |
