I'm not one of the world's great fans (if any) of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, current President of Iran. I wouldn't have voted for him in 2005 even if I were an Iranian; I probably wouldn't vote for him in 2009 (same conditions). He strikes me largely as a typical politician, with some weird ideas.
Last Sunday my wife asked me: why was he treated so badly while he was in New York?
Good question. I saw his "60 Minutes" interview, which was more like a grilling under torture than an interview. The interviewer, for instance, asked whether Iran intended to build nuclear weapons. Ahmadinejad hemmed and hawed for a while, like any politician being interviewed, and finally, under repeated questioning, answered "No!" But even after that the interviewer kept insisting that Ahmadinejad would not give a straight answer (how much straighter can you get than "No!"?).
He was invited to speak at Columbia University. From what I heard, the President of Columbia, introducing him, treated him more like a rabid dog than a welcome guest. I gather that the students who were present to listen were considerably more polite, except at one point at which Ahmadinejad insisted that there were no gays in Iran (thus displaying a willful ignorance of his own country as well as one of human biology — so what else can you expect of a politician?).
When you have a guest in the house, even if you don't like him you treat him as a guest, i.e. politely. I think that should be as true for nations as for individuals. If so, the treatment Ahmadinejad got here should make us all feel a bit ashamed of ourselves.
You might enjoy:
http://www.distantocean.com/2007/09/lee-bollinger-f.html
"Lee Bollinger: fearless denouncer of US-designated dictators"
That's a good article pointing out the inconsistent absurdity of the treatment. Seems many people are buying into the drumbeats for war in Iran and just automatically nodding in agreement about how Ahmadinejad is the devil, while praising far worse leaders (who just happen to be allies instead of part of the "Axis of Evil").
Posted by: russ at October 6, 2007 01:05 AMhave you read the Speech that prezident Ahmadinejad of Iran made at the UN Assembly ? Here is only one short part: Six: Violations of rules of international law and disrespect of commitments. Some who were themselves the drafters of international law openly and easily violate it and apply discriminatory policies and double standards to others. They drafted disarmament regulations, but every day test and stock pile new generations of lethal weapons.
They frame the Charter of the United Nations, but show disrespect to the right of self-determination and independence of sovereign nations. They conveniently abrogate their (inaudible) and do not yield to laws concerning protection of the environment. Most of the violations of international obligations are committed by a few global powers.
Posted by: Jurgen P. Kuhl at October 7, 2007 05:24 AM