Iran's Khamenei slams US as Obama reaches out

[larrymeyer]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090604...ranusdiplomacy

Iran's Khamenei slams US as Obama reaches out


1 hr 49 mins ago
TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei fired off a new salvo against the United States on Thursday, saying it was detested across the Middle East, just as President Barack Obama held out his hand to Tehran.

"The nations in the region hate the United States from the bottom of their hearts because they have seen violence, military intervention and discrimination," Khamenei said.

He was addressing thousands of Iranians on the 20th anniversary of the death of the Islamic republic's revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and just days before the country's presidential election.

"The new US government seeks to transform this image. I say firmly, that this will not be achieved by talking, speech and slogans," he said.

Obama, who broke with former US policy of isolating Tehran, said it would be hard to "overcome decades of mistrust" but he had made clear to Iran's leaders that Washington was prepared to move forward in relations with Tehran.

Washington has had no diplomatic relations with Tehran following the seizure of the US embassy after the 1979 revolution which ousted the US-backed shah. It has also pushed for UN sanctions on Iran, spurred by Western and Israeli suspicions that the country is seeking nuclear weapons.

In a major speech in the Egyptian capital, the US leader said the nuclear showdown with Iran had reached a decisive point but that Tehran had the right to peaceful nuclear power if it abided by international treaties.

"It is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons we have reached a decisive point.

"This is not simply about America's interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path."

In an apparent reference to Israel, believed to be only nuclear-armed power in the Middle East, Obama said he understood protests "that some countries have weapons that others do not."

He added that this was why he reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a nuclear-weapons-free world.

He said that "any nation -- including Iran -- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Khamenei, who has the final say on Iran's strategic issues, made his remarks about Washington shortly before Obama's address to the world's Muslims.

"They have done things that have deeply hurt the nations in the region... things are not going to be changed by speeches. He (Obama) has to do it in practice," he said.

"Even if he delivers hundreds of speeches and talks very sweetly, there will not be a change in how the Islamic countries perceive the United States."

Khamenei's latest anti-US outburst comes despite a series of diplomatic overtures from Obama towards Iran after three decades of severed ties.

Iran's spiritual guide also accused the United States of "lying" about Tehran's nuclear programme, which the West suspects is a cover for ambitions to build atomic weapons.

"They lied about our intention, they concealed the truth about it. They stood against the legitimate rights of our nation," he said.

"We have said several times that we want the nuclear energy for industrial and peaceful purposes. But they continuously say that Iran is seeking nuclear bombs. By doing this, they are hated by our nation."

Khamenei also accused the US military of "bombing innocent civilians in Afghanistan. What is the difference between this killing and killing by terrorists?"

He said that in Iraq, the United States was "supporting the Baathist elements", in referance to members of executed dictator Saddam Hussein's Baath party, many of whom are returning to government jobs in the new Shiite-led regime of Iraq.

"He (Obama) has to change these things," said Khamenei.

[Bmarshall91]

Myabe i'm misreading that last quote, but WHY IS IT OUR RESPONCIBILITY TO FIX OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS!!!!! This deeply upsets me. Who made the US the world police! god! we have issues of our own that need addressing... who is coming to the U.S. to help with Katrina? to help with our homeless, starving and poor? where are the commercials in other countries about OUR poverty ridden children and families who cant afford meals???



why do WE have to do EVERYTHING!

[Eugene V. Debs]

Myabe i'm misreading that last quote, but WHY IS IT OUR RESPONCIBILITY TO FIX OTHER PEOPLES PROBLEMS!!!!! This deeply upsets me. Who made the US the world police! god! we have issues of our own that need addressing... who is coming to the U.S. to help with Katrina? to help with our homeless, starving and poor? where are the commercials in other countries about OUR poverty ridden children and families who cant afford meals???



why do WE have to do EVERYTHING!

I think you are misreading that last quote. He means he wants us interfering less, not more.

Anyhow, this was to be expected out of the regime there. I think Obama and his advisors knew this and probably had one or more aims with the speech:

1. To speak directly to the Muslim world, the Iranian people in particular

2. Have a "speak softly but carry a big stick"/"iron fist in velvet glove" diplomatic approach. That way if we ever do have to launch air strikes against Iran the Administration can say "See, we tried diplomacy, but it didn't work"

Of course, this is just speculation on my part. I could be all wrong.

[camper]

This deeply upsets me. Who made the US the world police!

America, F@CK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the mother f@cking day yeah,
America, F@CK YEAH!
Freedom is the only way yeah,
Terrorist your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
America, F@CK YEAH!
So lick my butt, and suck on my b@lls,
America, F@CK YEAH!




camper

[autotech6506]

if it could only be like that. Hilarious movie by the way.

[mjfletcher]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090604...ranusdiplomacy

Iran's Khamenei slams US as Obama reaches out


1 hr 49 mins ago
TEHRAN (AFP) – Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei fired off a new salvo against the United States on Thursday, saying it was detested across the Middle East, just as President Barack Obama held out his hand to Tehran.

"The nations in the region hate the United States from the bottom of their hearts because they have seen violence, military intervention and discrimination," Khamenei said.

He was addressing thousands of Iranians on the 20th anniversary of the death of the Islamic republic's revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and just days before the country's presidential election.

"The new US government seeks to transform this image. I say firmly, that this will not be achieved by talking, speech and slogans," he said.

Obama, who broke with former US policy of isolating Tehran, said it would be hard to "overcome decades of mistrust" but he had made clear to Iran's leaders that Washington was prepared to move forward in relations with Tehran.

Washington has had no diplomatic relations with Tehran following the seizure of the US embassy after the 1979 revolution which ousted the US-backed shah. It has also pushed for UN sanctions on Iran, spurred by Western and Israeli suspicions that the country is seeking nuclear weapons.

In a major speech in the Egyptian capital, the US leader said the nuclear showdown with Iran had reached a decisive point but that Tehran had the right to peaceful nuclear power if it abided by international treaties.

"It is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons we have reached a decisive point.

"This is not simply about America's interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path."

In an apparent reference to Israel, believed to be only nuclear-armed power in the Middle East, Obama said he understood protests "that some countries have weapons that others do not."

He added that this was why he reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a nuclear-weapons-free world.

He said that "any nation -- including Iran -- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Khamenei, who has the final say on Iran's strategic issues, made his remarks about Washington shortly before Obama's address to the world's Muslims.

"They have done things that have deeply hurt the nations in the region... things are not going to be changed by speeches. He (Obama) has to do it in practice," he said.

"Even if he delivers hundreds of speeches and talks very sweetly, there will not be a change in how the Islamic countries perceive the United States."

Khamenei's latest anti-US outburst comes despite a series of diplomatic overtures from Obama towards Iran after three decades of severed ties.

Iran's spiritual guide also accused the United States of "lying" about Tehran's nuclear programme, which the West suspects is a cover for ambitions to build atomic weapons.

"They lied about our intention, they concealed the truth about it. They stood against the legitimate rights of our nation," he said.

"We have said several times that we want the nuclear energy for industrial and peaceful purposes. But they continuously say that Iran is seeking nuclear bombs. By doing this, they are hated by our nation."

Khamenei also accused the US military of "bombing innocent civilians in Afghanistan. What is the difference between this killing and killing by terrorists?"

He said that in Iraq, the United States was "supporting the Baathist elements", in referance to members of executed dictator Saddam Hussein's Baath party, many of whom are returning to government jobs in the new Shiite-led regime of Iraq.

"He (Obama) has to change these things," said Khamenei.

Seems the reporter started with an inflamatory title for his story, then conveniently buried important statements in the middle where they'd be missed.

Khamenei gave his speech BEFORE Obama's, not after as the title indicates.
Khamenei said multiple times that it'll take more than "pretty words" and that Obama needs to act if he wishes to change the way America is perceived.

Guess he wouldn't get as many readers if he didn't play that game.