27:00
|
[01 July 13] Britain preplan to attack Syria - English
In this edition of the show: Roland Dumas says Britain had been planning a war against Syria some two years before to the unrest broke out in the Arab country; The similarities between Britain\'s...
In this edition of the show: Roland Dumas says Britain had been planning a war against Syria some two years before to the unrest broke out in the Arab country; The similarities between Britain\'s Iraq invasion and planning to invade Syria.
Monarchy: As part of her \'Birthday Honours List,\' the British Queen will recognize Professor David Newman of Ben-Gurion University for advocating academic partnership between countries and opposing the UK academic boycott of Israel!! A clear contradictory move against majority of British academics attitude.
Monarchy 2: While the British main stream media hype about queen\'s 60 coronation anniversary honours list has reached its peak a secret list of 300 top people who have snubbed the honours system by refusing knighthoods and other awards has been released.
More...
Description:
In this edition of the show: Roland Dumas says Britain had been planning a war against Syria some two years before to the unrest broke out in the Arab country; The similarities between Britain\'s Iraq invasion and planning to invade Syria.
Monarchy: As part of her \'Birthday Honours List,\' the British Queen will recognize Professor David Newman of Ben-Gurion University for advocating academic partnership between countries and opposing the UK academic boycott of Israel!! A clear contradictory move against majority of British academics attitude.
Monarchy 2: While the British main stream media hype about queen\'s 60 coronation anniversary honours list has reached its peak a secret list of 300 top people who have snubbed the honours system by refusing knighthoods and other awards has been released.
25:29
|
2:03
|
[06 June 13] Candidate Qalibaf to pursue provincial development - English
Presidential candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says provincial development will be high on his list of priorities if he receives enough votes to win the election.
Addressing a group of his...
Presidential candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says provincial development will be high on his list of priorities if he receives enough votes to win the election.
Addressing a group of his supporters in Lorestan Province\'s capital city of Khorramabad on Tuesday, the principlist candidate said Lorestan Province is among the least developed regions in Iran, and its infrastructural development will be a top priority for his future administration.
Tehran Mayor blamed mismanagement for the province\'s economic issues and promised to fix them as soon as possible.
Qalibaf, President of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei, former First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi are the eight candidates running for president.
More...
Description:
Presidential candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says provincial development will be high on his list of priorities if he receives enough votes to win the election.
Addressing a group of his supporters in Lorestan Province\'s capital city of Khorramabad on Tuesday, the principlist candidate said Lorestan Province is among the least developed regions in Iran, and its infrastructural development will be a top priority for his future administration.
Tehran Mayor blamed mismanagement for the province\'s economic issues and promised to fix them as soon as possible.
Qalibaf, President of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Hassan Rohani, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Saeed Jalili, former Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei, former First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi are the eight candidates running for president.
2:26
|
[07 July 13] Celebration in Tehran Golestan Palace - English
In late June, The World Heritage committee of the United Nation\'s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, inscribed the Iranian Golestan Palace in its World Heritage List. This...
In late June, The World Heritage committee of the United Nation\'s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, inscribed the Iranian Golestan Palace in its World Heritage List. This is the first Iranian monument among the other 15, which has been located in the heart of the capital, Tehran. The palace was built in Tehran in the 16th century during the reign of Safavid King Tahmasb. The site received its most characteristic features following extensions in the 19th century, when the ruling Qajar family selected the palace as the royal residence and seat of power. The palace was rebuilt to its current form in 1865 by Haji Abol-hasan Mimar Navai. On Sunday, an official ceremony was held just in front of the palace to celebrate inscription of the prestigious building on UNESCO list.
Ehsan Keivani, Press TV, Tehran
More...
Description:
In late June, The World Heritage committee of the United Nation\'s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, inscribed the Iranian Golestan Palace in its World Heritage List. This is the first Iranian monument among the other 15, which has been located in the heart of the capital, Tehran. The palace was built in Tehran in the 16th century during the reign of Safavid King Tahmasb. The site received its most characteristic features following extensions in the 19th century, when the ruling Qajar family selected the palace as the royal residence and seat of power. The palace was rebuilt to its current form in 1865 by Haji Abol-hasan Mimar Navai. On Sunday, an official ceremony was held just in front of the palace to celebrate inscription of the prestigious building on UNESCO list.
Ehsan Keivani, Press TV, Tehran
1:30
|
Video Tags:
Saudi,,Arab,,Ka,,Nam,,Ek,,Bar,,Phir,,Black,,List,,main,,Sahar,,Urdu,,News
0:30
|
1:20
|
Video Tags:
Saudi,,Arab,,Ka,,Nam,,Black,,List,,Main,,Dobarah,,Shamil,,Kia,,jaye,,Sahar,,Urdu,,News
24:31
|
[13 July 13] israeli army detains 5-year-old Palestinian boy for endangering passengers - English
Israeli forces have arrested a Palestinian boy for allegedly throwing a stone at Israeli soldiers: the boy is only 5-years old. The incident happened in the city of Hebron or al-Khalil in the...
Israeli forces have arrested a Palestinian boy for allegedly throwing a stone at Israeli soldiers: the boy is only 5-years old. The incident happened in the city of Hebron or al-Khalil in the Occupied West Bank.
The Israeli army has said the boy had endangered passers-by. The detention a 5-year old innocent boy is not an isolated case involving the violation of Palestinian rights.
There is a long list of such violations including the siege on the Gaza Strip since 2007, arbitrary abduction and arrest of Palestinians; destruction of their homes to name just a few.
On this edition of the show we ask: Why the international community is inactive in the face of these violations? What would be the reaction of the US and the EU if a 5-year old has been arrested anywhere else other than Israel?
More...
Description:
Israeli forces have arrested a Palestinian boy for allegedly throwing a stone at Israeli soldiers: the boy is only 5-years old. The incident happened in the city of Hebron or al-Khalil in the Occupied West Bank.
The Israeli army has said the boy had endangered passers-by. The detention a 5-year old innocent boy is not an isolated case involving the violation of Palestinian rights.
There is a long list of such violations including the siege on the Gaza Strip since 2007, arbitrary abduction and arrest of Palestinians; destruction of their homes to name just a few.
On this edition of the show we ask: Why the international community is inactive in the face of these violations? What would be the reaction of the US and the EU if a 5-year old has been arrested anywhere else other than Israel?
4:01
|
[14 September 2019] US Congress loaded with anti-China fanatics: Analyst - English
US Congress is full of “anti-China fanatics” so it is not surprising that a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called on the Pentagon to compile and release an updated list of companies with...
US Congress is full of “anti-China fanatics” so it is not surprising that a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called on the Pentagon to compile and release an updated list of companies with ties to the Chinese military, operating in the United States, says American political analyst Mike Billington.
Watch Live: http://www.presstv.com/live.html
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PressTV
LiveLeak: http://www.liveleak.com/c/PressTV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PRESSTV
Instagram: http://instagram.com/presstvchannel
#PressTV #Iran #News
More...
Description:
US Congress is full of “anti-China fanatics” so it is not surprising that a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called on the Pentagon to compile and release an updated list of companies with ties to the Chinese military, operating in the United States, says American political analyst Mike Billington.
Watch Live: http://www.presstv.com/live.html
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PressTV
LiveLeak: http://www.liveleak.com/c/PressTV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PRESSTV
Instagram: http://instagram.com/presstvchannel
#PressTV #Iran #News
3:14
|
[17 June 13] Palestinian Authority cancels UNESCO bid under pressure from israel - English
The Palestinian Authority has cancelled plans to submit a bid for the village of Battir to be listed on the UNESCO world heritage list one year after The Church of Nativity was voted on the list....
The Palestinian Authority has cancelled plans to submit a bid for the village of Battir to be listed on the UNESCO world heritage list one year after The Church of Nativity was voted on the list.
The council of Battir submitted the bid to the Palestinian Authority which was accepted by Acting Chief of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas in January in time for the deadline of February. However a local Palestinian paper stated that the Palestinian Authority revealed in secret that they withheld the bid in order to broker a deal with Israel.
More...
Description:
The Palestinian Authority has cancelled plans to submit a bid for the village of Battir to be listed on the UNESCO world heritage list one year after The Church of Nativity was voted on the list.
The council of Battir submitted the bid to the Palestinian Authority which was accepted by Acting Chief of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas in January in time for the deadline of February. However a local Palestinian paper stated that the Palestinian Authority revealed in secret that they withheld the bid in order to broker a deal with Israel.
2:30
|
[19 July 13] Canada prime minister creates an enemies list - English
It has been revealed that Canada\'s Prime Minister Steven Harper has drawn up an \"enemies list\" identifying political opponents of the Conservative Party. Bureaucrats, judges and other...
It has been revealed that Canada\'s Prime Minister Steven Harper has drawn up an \"enemies list\" identifying political opponents of the Conservative Party. Bureaucrats, judges and other members of the Canadian establishment are named on the list.
More...
Description:
It has been revealed that Canada\'s Prime Minister Steven Harper has drawn up an \"enemies list\" identifying political opponents of the Conservative Party. Bureaucrats, judges and other members of the Canadian establishment are named on the list.
15:18
|
[21 May 13] Face to Face with Haddad-Adel, Principalist hopeful - English
On this episode, Press TV\'s Gisoo Misha Ahmady talks to the Iran\'s former parliament speaker and a principlist presidential hopeful, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel.
A total of 686 individuals signed...
On this episode, Press TV\'s Gisoo Misha Ahmady talks to the Iran\'s former parliament speaker and a principlist presidential hopeful, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel.
A total of 686 individuals signed up for the 11th presidential race during the registration period, which began on May 7 at Iran\'s Interior Ministry and ended on May 11.
The Guardian Council, the body tasked with vetting the hopefuls, has until May 21 to announce the final list of candidates. The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
More...
Description:
On this episode, Press TV\'s Gisoo Misha Ahmady talks to the Iran\'s former parliament speaker and a principlist presidential hopeful, Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel.
A total of 686 individuals signed up for the 11th presidential race during the registration period, which began on May 7 at Iran\'s Interior Ministry and ended on May 11.
The Guardian Council, the body tasked with vetting the hopefuls, has until May 21 to announce the final list of candidates. The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
3:12
|
[22 July 13] EU puts Hezbollah political wing on its terror list - English
After months of intense Israeli and US lobbying the EU has finally taken action against Lebanon\\\'s resistance movement Hezbollah. During an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, the European...
After months of intense Israeli and US lobbying the EU has finally taken action against Lebanon\\\'s resistance movement Hezbollah. During an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, the European body announced its anti-Hezbollah measure by placing what they called Hezbollah\\\'s military wing on the E-U terrorism list.
More...
Description:
After months of intense Israeli and US lobbying the EU has finally taken action against Lebanon\\\'s resistance movement Hezbollah. During an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, the European body announced its anti-Hezbollah measure by placing what they called Hezbollah\\\'s military wing on the E-U terrorism list.
23:40
|
[23 July 13] Hezbollah on hit list - English
The EU finally decides to put Hezbollah on its terror list. The US and Israel are applauding.
The Lebanese government has regretted the decision and Hezbollah accuses the EU of bowing to Israel....
The EU finally decides to put Hezbollah on its terror list. The US and Israel are applauding.
The Lebanese government has regretted the decision and Hezbollah accuses the EU of bowing to Israel.
In this edition of the show we ask: What is the underlying reason for the EU\'s move? What will be the ramifications of this decision?
More...
Description:
The EU finally decides to put Hezbollah on its terror list. The US and Israel are applauding.
The Lebanese government has regretted the decision and Hezbollah accuses the EU of bowing to Israel.
In this edition of the show we ask: What is the underlying reason for the EU\'s move? What will be the ramifications of this decision?
[23 July 13] Pro-Palestinian Jennifer Loewenstein and pro-israeli Richard Hellman discuss Hezbollah - English
The European Union has put the military wing of Lebanon\\\'s resistance movement Hezbollah on its terror list. Pro-Palestinian activist Jennifer Loewenstein and pro-Israel analyst Richard Hellman...
The European Union has put the military wing of Lebanon\\\'s resistance movement Hezbollah on its terror list. Pro-Palestinian activist Jennifer Loewenstein and pro-Israel analyst Richard Hellman have discussed the issue live on Press TV.
More...
Description:
The European Union has put the military wing of Lebanon\\\'s resistance movement Hezbollah on its terror list. Pro-Palestinian activist Jennifer Loewenstein and pro-Israel analyst Richard Hellman have discussed the issue live on Press TV.
5:17
|
[24 July 13] EU must slap sanctions on Israeli military: Randy Short - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Dr. Randy Short, with the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization, about Israel welcoming the European Union\'s decision to put the military wing of...
Press TV has conducted an interview with Dr. Randy Short, with the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization, about Israel welcoming the European Union\'s decision to put the military wing of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah on its terror list.
More...
Description:
Press TV has conducted an interview with Dr. Randy Short, with the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization, about Israel welcoming the European Union\'s decision to put the military wing of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah on its terror list.
25:11
|
[24 May 13] Face to Face with Aref, Iranian reformist presidential candidate - English
In the new series of the program, we held one on one interviews with the Iranian presidential candidates.
In this episode, Press TV\'s Gisoo Misha Ahmadi talks to Iranian reformist presidential...
In the new series of the program, we held one on one interviews with the Iranian presidential candidates.
In this episode, Press TV\'s Gisoo Misha Ahmadi talks to Iranian reformist presidential candidate Mohammad Reza Aref, who served as first vice-president under President Mohammad Khatami.
Earlier this week, Iran\'s Interior Ministry published a list of eight candidates approved by the Guardian Council to run in the country\'s 11th presidential election slated for June 14.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
More...
Description:
In the new series of the program, we held one on one interviews with the Iranian presidential candidates.
In this episode, Press TV\'s Gisoo Misha Ahmadi talks to Iranian reformist presidential candidate Mohammad Reza Aref, who served as first vice-president under President Mohammad Khatami.
Earlier this week, Iran\'s Interior Ministry published a list of eight candidates approved by the Guardian Council to run in the country\'s 11th presidential election slated for June 14.
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.
5:02
|
24:58
|
[30 May 2012] Obama Kill List-News Analysis - English
[30 May 2012] Obama Kill List-News Analysis - English
US assassination drone attacks: controversial, and against international law. It's been branded as targeted killings, not that the targets...
[30 May 2012] Obama Kill List-News Analysis - English
US assassination drone attacks: controversial, and against international law. It's been branded as targeted killings, not that the targets (should be targeting) have been successful: In Pakistan: a 10 to 1 ratio: That's 10 civilians killed for every militant. And after the US president admitted for the first time this past year that the US was involved, now news has surfaced of his direct involvement: In this news analysis, we will examine this controversial program, and whether his direct involvement as the decision maker makes him a war criminal
More...
Description:
[30 May 2012] Obama Kill List-News Analysis - English
US assassination drone attacks: controversial, and against international law. It's been branded as targeted killings, not that the targets (should be targeting) have been successful: In Pakistan: a 10 to 1 ratio: That's 10 civilians killed for every militant. And after the US president admitted for the first time this past year that the US was involved, now news has surfaced of his direct involvement: In this news analysis, we will examine this controversial program, and whether his direct involvement as the decision maker makes him a war criminal
3:23
|
[30 Sep 2012] Iran slams US for removing MKO from terror list - English
Iran\'s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has slammed Washington for removing the Mojahedin-E Khalq Organization or MKO from its list of designated terrorist groups.
The ministry says the move is...
Iran\'s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has slammed Washington for removing the Mojahedin-E Khalq Organization or MKO from its list of designated terrorist groups.
The ministry says the move is irresponsible and goes against Washington\'s international obligations and legal commitments.
More...
Description:
Iran\'s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has slammed Washington for removing the Mojahedin-E Khalq Organization or MKO from its list of designated terrorist groups.
The ministry says the move is irresponsible and goes against Washington\'s international obligations and legal commitments.
26:21
|
[Iran Today] Iran-s 11th Presidential Election - 7 May 2013 - English
The eleventh round of Iran\'s Presidential Election has just officially begun with the registration process finally underway as of today May 7th in the interior ministry.
Any Iranian national...
The eleventh round of Iran\'s Presidential Election has just officially begun with the registration process finally underway as of today May 7th in the interior ministry.
Any Iranian national has until May 11 to register, the date on which all the guesswork surrounding who will and who won\'t decide to run, officially comes to an end and the vetting process by the 12-member guardian council made-up of 6 Islamic faqihs or experts in Islamic jurisprudence and 6 jurists begins with a 24 hour break in between.
The contenders themselves can also choose to withdraw anytime from now until the Election Day (June 14, 2013).
The race will officially begin right after the final list of Presidential hopefuls is announced by the interior ministry after which the candidates are allowed to start their election campaigns.
This is while some candidates have already started giving interviews and appearing on university campuses discussing and promoting their agenda.
So far economy seems to top the list of campaign issues and promises given the current economic dire straits faced by the country.
On this edition of the show we take a closer look at the latest election news including the presidential hopefuls\' solutions for improving Iran\'s economy and the livelihood of their fellow citizens.
Follow our Facebook on: https://www.facebook.com/presstv
Follow our Twitter on: http://twitter.com/presstv
Follow our Tumblr on: http://presstvchannel.tumblr.com
More...
Description:
The eleventh round of Iran\'s Presidential Election has just officially begun with the registration process finally underway as of today May 7th in the interior ministry.
Any Iranian national has until May 11 to register, the date on which all the guesswork surrounding who will and who won\'t decide to run, officially comes to an end and the vetting process by the 12-member guardian council made-up of 6 Islamic faqihs or experts in Islamic jurisprudence and 6 jurists begins with a 24 hour break in between.
The contenders themselves can also choose to withdraw anytime from now until the Election Day (June 14, 2013).
The race will officially begin right after the final list of Presidential hopefuls is announced by the interior ministry after which the candidates are allowed to start their election campaigns.
This is while some candidates have already started giving interviews and appearing on university campuses discussing and promoting their agenda.
So far economy seems to top the list of campaign issues and promises given the current economic dire straits faced by the country.
On this edition of the show we take a closer look at the latest election news including the presidential hopefuls\' solutions for improving Iran\'s economy and the livelihood of their fellow citizens.
Follow our Facebook on: https://www.facebook.com/presstv
Follow our Twitter on: http://twitter.com/presstv
Follow our Tumblr on: http://presstvchannel.tumblr.com
8:01
|
Ayatullah Sistani Ayt. Khamenei Advice about Corona Virus | Symptoms, Preventive measures Covid-19 Urdu
SabeelMedia
COVID19 CoronaVirus
Ayatullah Sistani Ayt. Khamenei Advice about Corona Virus | Symptoms, Preventive measures
Dua link :...
SabeelMedia
COVID19 CoronaVirus
Ayatullah Sistani Ayt. Khamenei Advice about Corona Virus | Symptoms, Preventive measures
Dua link :
http://www.duas.org/urdu/URDU-www-alhassanain-com/AHLEBAIT/IMAM-SAJJAD/saheefah_e_sajjadiyeh/001.html
Ayatullah Sistani Statement :
https://www.world-federation.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-resource-page
.
.
.
----------
1. Must watch and share with your friends and relatives. Sharing knowledge gives sawaab.
2. Is video ko zyada se zyada logon se share karen.
3. Is video clip ke baare mein apke comments zaroor likhen..
---------------
Join us on social media by following links:
https://Instagram.com/SabeelMedia.in
https://youtube.com/SabeelMedia_in
https://wa.me/918928514110
https://Fb.com/SabeelMedia.in
https://t.me/Sabeelmedia_in
[email protected]
-------------------
😍 You will also like our other videos
AAP KA SAWAL
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_kCIDEjSaa0QC9TfjgBHLPEAREddK2Je
SPOUSE SELECTION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW2ozWvhjNU&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa0JblqNcnQALtZ3qEAM1MI9
AHSAN AL QASAS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9567MFnT_w&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa2GFN8GZHdOLws4S2j0Fx4H
PAIGHAM E IMAM - Muharram Special
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsEXjbR3dKQ&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa2W2krvvPNBCrXWpWqlfNmb
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUTH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjEI2VhA440&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa2UvhdtX2auLWjWX4QLNCKSsabeel
More...
Description:
SabeelMedia
COVID19 CoronaVirus
Ayatullah Sistani Ayt. Khamenei Advice about Corona Virus | Symptoms, Preventive measures
Dua link :
http://www.duas.org/urdu/URDU-www-alhassanain-com/AHLEBAIT/IMAM-SAJJAD/saheefah_e_sajjadiyeh/001.html
Ayatullah Sistani Statement :
https://www.world-federation.org/news/coronavirus-covid-19-resource-page
.
.
.
----------
1. Must watch and share with your friends and relatives. Sharing knowledge gives sawaab.
2. Is video ko zyada se zyada logon se share karen.
3. Is video clip ke baare mein apke comments zaroor likhen..
---------------
Join us on social media by following links:
https://Instagram.com/SabeelMedia.in
https://youtube.com/SabeelMedia_in
https://wa.me/918928514110
https://Fb.com/SabeelMedia.in
https://t.me/Sabeelmedia_in
[email protected]
-------------------
😍 You will also like our other videos
AAP KA SAWAL
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_kCIDEjSaa0QC9TfjgBHLPEAREddK2Je
SPOUSE SELECTION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW2ozWvhjNU&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa0JblqNcnQALtZ3qEAM1MI9
AHSAN AL QASAS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9567MFnT_w&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa2GFN8GZHdOLws4S2j0Fx4H
PAIGHAM E IMAM - Muharram Special
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsEXjbR3dKQ&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa2W2krvvPNBCrXWpWqlfNmb
RECOMMENDED FOR YOUTH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjEI2VhA440&list=PL_kCIDEjSaa2UvhdtX2auLWjWX4QLNCKSsabeel
BOYCOTT ISRAEL Brands Products That Support Appartheid State - All Languages
People are asking what can we do to stop zionist's aggression in Palestine. We can do a lot in peaceful means. One simple example is to boycott not only the Israeli products, but also the companies...
People are asking what can we do to stop zionist's aggression in Palestine. We can do a lot in peaceful means. One simple example is to boycott not only the Israeli products, but also the companies which support Israel as well. Use the following link for a list of these companies. Yes it is a long list. Yes it includes lots of the companies you always shop from, but if you are serious about helping the children of Palestine you MUST sacrifice some of your luxuries, and try to shop from alternative places, even if the quality was not as good as the boycotted ones.
Zionist Brands:
Time Life magazine, CNN, ICQ, Giorgio Armani, Redken 5th Avenue, Lancome Paris, Vichy, Cacharel, La Roche-Posay, Garnier, Biotherm, Helena Rubinstein, Maybelline, Ralph Lauren, Carson, M&S, St.Michaels, Nestle
Nescafé, Perrier, Vittel, Pure Life, Carnation, Libby's, Milkmaid, Nesquik, Maggi, Buitoni, Cross & Blackwell, KitKat, Milkybar, Quality Street, Smarties, After Eight, Aero, Polo, Lion, Felix cat food, L'Oréal, Delta Galil
Hema, Barbie, Carrefour, Auchan, Tchibo, Victoria's Secret, GAP, Banana Republic, Structure, J-Crew, JC Penny, Pryca, Lindex, DIM, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Playtex, cK, Hugo Boss, M&S, News Corporation
TV: Fox, Sky, Star, Phoenix, Granada, CNBC. UK newspapers: Standard Newspaper, News of the World, The Sun, The Times. Australian Newspapers: The Telegraph , Gold Coast Bulletin, Herald Sun, Independent, Sunday Mail. US newspapers: New York Post. Publishers: Harper Collins Ragan, Zondervan, National Geographical. Nursery World, Rawkus, NDS, Mushroom Records, ChinaByte.com, Festival Records, Estée Lauder
Aramis, Clinique, DKNY, Prescriptives, Origins, MAC, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Jane, Donna Karan, Aveda, Stila, Jo Malone, Bumble & Bumble, Kate Spade, Sara Lee
Hanes, Playtex, Champion, Leggs, Douwe Egberts, Bryan, DIM, Ambi Pur, Bali, Superior Coffee, Just My Size, Kiwi, Maison Cafe, Nur die, Pilao, Lovable, Outer Banks, Wonderbra, Sanex, Pickwick, Gossard, Body Mist, Brylcreem, Aqua Velva, Radox
More...
Description:
People are asking what can we do to stop zionist's aggression in Palestine. We can do a lot in peaceful means. One simple example is to boycott not only the Israeli products, but also the companies which support Israel as well. Use the following link for a list of these companies. Yes it is a long list. Yes it includes lots of the companies you always shop from, but if you are serious about helping the children of Palestine you MUST sacrifice some of your luxuries, and try to shop from alternative places, even if the quality was not as good as the boycotted ones.
Zionist Brands:
Time Life magazine, CNN, ICQ, Giorgio Armani, Redken 5th Avenue, Lancome Paris, Vichy, Cacharel, La Roche-Posay, Garnier, Biotherm, Helena Rubinstein, Maybelline, Ralph Lauren, Carson, M&S, St.Michaels, Nestle
Nescafé, Perrier, Vittel, Pure Life, Carnation, Libby's, Milkmaid, Nesquik, Maggi, Buitoni, Cross & Blackwell, KitKat, Milkybar, Quality Street, Smarties, After Eight, Aero, Polo, Lion, Felix cat food, L'Oréal, Delta Galil
Hema, Barbie, Carrefour, Auchan, Tchibo, Victoria's Secret, GAP, Banana Republic, Structure, J-Crew, JC Penny, Pryca, Lindex, DIM, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Playtex, cK, Hugo Boss, M&S, News Corporation
TV: Fox, Sky, Star, Phoenix, Granada, CNBC. UK newspapers: Standard Newspaper, News of the World, The Sun, The Times. Australian Newspapers: The Telegraph , Gold Coast Bulletin, Herald Sun, Independent, Sunday Mail. US newspapers: New York Post. Publishers: Harper Collins Ragan, Zondervan, National Geographical. Nursery World, Rawkus, NDS, Mushroom Records, ChinaByte.com, Festival Records, Estée Lauder
Aramis, Clinique, DKNY, Prescriptives, Origins, MAC, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Jane, Donna Karan, Aveda, Stila, Jo Malone, Bumble & Bumble, Kate Spade, Sara Lee
Hanes, Playtex, Champion, Leggs, Douwe Egberts, Bryan, DIM, Ambi Pur, Bali, Superior Coffee, Just My Size, Kiwi, Maison Cafe, Nur die, Pilao, Lovable, Outer Banks, Wonderbra, Sanex, Pickwick, Gossard, Body Mist, Brylcreem, Aqua Velva, Radox
8:00
|
Crawling Text - Adobe Premiere Pro CC Class 18 - Urdu / Hindi
Hey Everyone! Here\'s Class 18 of Adobe Premiere Pro CC Classes. In this class you will learn how to add Crawling text in your videos just like news channels add news ticker. So we will be using...
Hey Everyone! Here\'s Class 18 of Adobe Premiere Pro CC Classes. In this class you will learn how to add Crawling text in your videos just like news channels add news ticker. So we will be using Lagacy title for this purpose. This class is just for crawling text but next class will be detailed class about Lagacy Title window.
#GFXMentor #Adobe_Premiere #CrawlingText
Follow me on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/GFXMentor
My name is Imran Ali Dina, and I am a seasoned Graphic Design Trainer having experience of 17+ years. I\'ve started this training for anyone who wants to learn Graphic Designing for FREE in a professional way.
Photoshop for Beginners Series Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW-zSkCnZ-gA5Jn6gZtUa6-aG0OoRZyb6
Here\'s the complete playlist of Adobe Illustrator Training so far, I suggest, if you are new to Adobe Illustrator you should watch whole playlist from the beginning:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW-zSkCnZ-gCq0DjkzY-YapCBEk0lA6lR
More...
Description:
Hey Everyone! Here\'s Class 18 of Adobe Premiere Pro CC Classes. In this class you will learn how to add Crawling text in your videos just like news channels add news ticker. So we will be using Lagacy title for this purpose. This class is just for crawling text but next class will be detailed class about Lagacy Title window.
#GFXMentor #Adobe_Premiere #CrawlingText
Follow me on Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/GFXMentor
My name is Imran Ali Dina, and I am a seasoned Graphic Design Trainer having experience of 17+ years. I\'ve started this training for anyone who wants to learn Graphic Designing for FREE in a professional way.
Photoshop for Beginners Series Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW-zSkCnZ-gA5Jn6gZtUa6-aG0OoRZyb6
Here\'s the complete playlist of Adobe Illustrator Training so far, I suggest, if you are new to Adobe Illustrator you should watch whole playlist from the beginning:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW-zSkCnZ-gCq0DjkzY-YapCBEk0lA6lR
7:07
|
Disgusting Sanctions to back fire on western govts - Mohammad Marandi - English
The European Union has expanded its sanctions against Iran, freezing assets and adding more officials to a visa blacklist. It cites 'serious human rights violations' for the measures - which follow...
The European Union has expanded its sanctions against Iran, freezing assets and adding more officials to a visa blacklist. It cites 'serious human rights violations' for the measures - which follow other similar penalties over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. The U.S. has just drawn up a list of countries which are to be cut-off from the American financial system - if they don't reduce Iranian oil imports within 6 months. Meanwhile, Israel says its threat of a military strike on Iran is stopping it from building a suspected nuclear bomb. Tehran maintains its atomic programme is for peaceful energy purposes only. But the U.S. is against an imminent attack on the Islamic state - believing it would drag the whole region into war. For more RT talks to Middle East expert, Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi, from Beirut.
RT on Twitter http://twitter.com/RT_com
RT on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RTnews
Category:
News & Politics
Tags:
RTembargoIranIsraelnuclear fearsTehrantradeUSAmericamoneyBeirut
More...
Description:
The European Union has expanded its sanctions against Iran, freezing assets and adding more officials to a visa blacklist. It cites 'serious human rights violations' for the measures - which follow other similar penalties over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. The U.S. has just drawn up a list of countries which are to be cut-off from the American financial system - if they don't reduce Iranian oil imports within 6 months. Meanwhile, Israel says its threat of a military strike on Iran is stopping it from building a suspected nuclear bomb. Tehran maintains its atomic programme is for peaceful energy purposes only. But the U.S. is against an imminent attack on the Islamic state - believing it would drag the whole region into war. For more RT talks to Middle East expert, Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi, from Beirut.
RT on Twitter http://twitter.com/RT_com
RT on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RTnews
Category:
News & Politics
Tags:
RTembargoIranIsraelnuclear fearsTehrantradeUSAmericamoneyBeirut
NAKSA Day & Saudi Crime List - World News Summary - 5 June 2011 - English
NAKSA Day - Saleh left Yemen - Crime list of saudi arabia -Libya - Afghanistan - Karachi Protest NorthWest Blast - Yoga guru Anti Corruption RALLY in Dehli-
NAKSA Day - Saleh left Yemen - Crime list of saudi arabia -Libya - Afghanistan - Karachi Protest NorthWest Blast - Yoga guru Anti Corruption RALLY in Dehli-
President Ahmadinejad Interview Sept 08 with Democracy Now - Part 1 - English
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Threat of US Attack and International Criticism of Iran’s Human Rights Record
In part one of an interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez,...
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Threat of US Attack and International Criticism of Iran’s Human Rights Record
In part one of an interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talks about the threat of a US attack on Iran and responds to international criticism of Iran’s human rights record. We also get reaction from CUNY Professor Ervand Abrahamian, an Iran expert and author of several books on Iran.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations General Assembly this week, while the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, is meeting in Vienna to discuss Iran’s alleged nuclear program. An IAEA report earlier this month criticized Iran for failing to fully respond to questions about its nuclear activities.
The European Union told the IAEA Wednesday that it believes Iran is moving closer to being able to arm a nuclear warhead. Iran could face a fourth set of Security Council sanctions over its nuclear activities, but this week Russia has refused to meet with the US on this issue.
The Iranian president refuted the IAEA’s charges in his speech to the General Assembly and accused the agency of succumbing to political pressure. He also welcomed talks with the United States if it cuts back threats to use military force against Iran.
AMY GOODMAN: As with every visit of the Iranian president to New York, some groups protested outside the United Nations. But this year, President Ahmadinejad also met with a large delegation of American peace activists concerned with the escalating possibility of war with Iran.
Well, yesterday, just before their meeting, Juan Gonzalez and I sat down with the Iranian president at his hotel, blocks from the UN, for a wide-ranging discussion about US-Iran relations, Iran’s nuclear program, threat of war with the US, the Israel-Palestine conflict, human rights in Iran and much more.
Today, part one of our interview with the Iranian president.
AMY GOODMAN: Welcome to Democracy Now!, President Ahmadinejad. You’ve come to the United States. What is your message to people in the United States and to the world community at the UN?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] In the name of God, the compassion of the Merciful, the president started by reciting verses from the Holy Quran in Arabic.
Hello. Hello to the people of America. The message from the nation and people of Iran is one of peace, tranquility and brotherhood. We believe that viable peace and security can happen when it is based on justice and piety and purity. Otherwise, no peace will occur.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Mr. President, you’re faced now in Iran with American soldiers in Iraq to your west, with American soldiers and NATO troops to your east in Afghanistan, and with Blackwater, the notorious military contractor, training the military in Azerbaijan, another neighbor of yours. What is the effect on your country of this enormous presence of American forces around Iran and the impact of these wars on your own population?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] It’s quite natural that when there are wars around your borders, it brings about negative repercussions for the entire region. These days, insecurity cannot be bordered; it just extends beyond boundaries. In the past two years, we had several cases of bomb explosions in southern towns in Iran carried out by people who were supervised by the occupying forces in our neighborhood. And in Afghanistan, following the presence of NATO troops, the production of illicit drugs has multiplied. It’s natural that it basically places pressure on Iran, including costly ones in order to fight the flow of illicit drugs.
We believe the people in the region are able to establish security themselves, on their own, so there is no need for foreigners and external forces, because these external forces have not helped the security of the region.
AMY GOODMAN: Do you see them as a threat to you?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, it’s natural that when there is insecurity, it threatens everyone.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to turn for a moment to your domestic policies and law enforcement in your country. Human Rights Watch, which has often criticized the legal system in the United States, says that, under your presidency, there has been a great expansion in the scope and the number of individuals and activities persecuted by the government. They say that you’ve jailed teachers who are fighting for wages and better pensions, students and activists working for reform, and other labor leaders, like Mansour Ossanlou from the bus workers’ union. What is your response to these criticisms of your policies?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] I think that the human rights situation in Iran is relatively a good one, when compared to the United States and other countries. Of course, when we look at the ideals that are dear to us, we understand that we still need to do a lot, because we seek divine and religious ideals and revolutionary ones. But when we compare ourselves with some European countries and the United States, we feel we’re in a much better place.
A large part of the information that these groups receive come from criticisms coming from groups that oppose the government. If you look at it, we have elections in Iran every year. And the propaganda is always around, too. But they’re not always true. Groups accuse one another.
But within the region and compared to the United States, we have the smallest number of prisoners, because in Iran, in general, there is not so much inclination to imprison people. We’re actually looking at our existing laws right now to see how we can eliminate most prisons around the country. So, you can see that people in Iran like each other. They live coexistently and like the government, too. This news is more important to these groups, not so much for the Iranian people. You have to remember, we have over 70 million people in our country, and we have laws. Some people might violate it, and then, according to the law, the judiciary takes charge. And this happens everywhere. What really matters is that in the end there are the least amount of such violations of the law in Iran, the least number.
So, I think the interpretation of these events is a wrong one. The relationship between the people and the government in Iran is actually a very close one. And criticizing the government is absolutely free for all. That’s exactly why everyone says what they want. There’s really no restrictions. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everything you hear is always true. And the government doesn’t really respond to it, either. It’s just free.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Let me ask you in particular about the question of the execution of juveniles. My understanding is that Iran is one of only five or six nations in the world that still execute juveniles convicted of capital offenses and that you—by far, you execute the most. I think twenty-six of the last thirty-two juveniles executed in the world were executed in Iran. How is this a reflection of the—of a state guided by religious principles, to execute young people?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Firstly, nobody is executed under the age of eighteen in Iran. This is the first point. And then, please pay attention to the fact that the legal age in Iran is different from yours. It’s not eighteen and doesn’t have to be eighteen everywhere. So, it’s different in different countries. I’ll ask you, if a person who happens to be seventeen years old and nine months kills one of your relatives, will you just overlook that?
AMY GOODMAN: We’ll continue our interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad after break.
[break]
AMY GOODMAN: We return to our interview with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to ask you, recently the Bush administration agreed to provide Israel with many new bunker buster bombs that people speculate might be used against Iran. Your reaction to this decision by the Bush administration? And do you—and there have been numerous reports in the American press of the Bush administration seeking to finance a secret war against Iran right now.
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, we actually think that the US administration and some other governments have equipped the Zionist regime with the nuclear warhead for those bombs, too. So, what are we to tell the American administration, a government that seeks a solution to all problems through war? Their logic is one of war. In the past twenty years, Americans’ military expenditures have multiplied. So I think the problem should be resolved somewhere else, meaning the people of America themselves must decide about their future. Do they like new wars to be waged in their names that kill nations or have their money spent on warfare? So I think that’s where the problem can be addressed.
AMY GOODMAN: The investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said the Bush administration held a meeting in Vice President Cheney’s office to discuss ways to provoke a war with Iran. Hersh said it was considered possibly a meeting to stage an incident, that it would appear that Iranian boats had attacked US forces in the Straits of Hormuz. Do you have any evidence of this?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, you have to pay attention to find that a lot of this kind of stuff is published out there. There’s no need for us to react to it.
Of course, Mr. Bush is very interested to start a new war. But he confronts two big barriers. One is the incapability in terms of maneuverability and operationally. Iran is a very big country, a very powerful country, very much capable of defending itself. The second barrier is the United States itself. We think there are enough wise people in this country to prevent the unreasonable actions by the administration. Even among the military commanders here, there are many people with wisdom who will stop a new war. I think the beginning or the starting a new war will mark the beginning of the end of the United States of America. Many people can understand that.
But I also think that Mr. Bush’s administration is coming to an end. Mr. Bush still has one other chance to make up for the mistakes he did in the past. He has no time to add to those list of mistakes. He can only make up for them. And that’s a very good opportunity to have. So, I would advise him to take advantage of this opportunity, so that at least while you’re in power, you do a couple—few good acts, as well. It’s better than to end one’s work with a report card of failures and of abhorrent acts. We’re willing to help him in doing good. We’ll be very happy.
AMY GOODMAN: And your nuclear program?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Our time seems to be over, but our nuclear program is peaceful. It’s very transparent for everyone to see.
Your media is a progressive one. Let me just say a sentence here.
I think that the time for the atomic bomb has reached an end. Don’t you feel that yourself? What will determine the future is culture, it’s the power of thought. Was the atomic bomb able to save the former Soviet Union from collapsing? Was it able to give victory to the Zionist regime of confronting the Palestinians? Was it able to resolve America’s or US problems in Iraq and Afghanistan? Naturally, its usage has come to an end.
It’s very wrong to spend people’s money building new atomic bombs. This money should be spent on creating welfare, prosperity, health, education, employment, and as aid that should be distributed among others’ countries, to destroy the reasons for war and for insecurity and terrorism. Rest assured, whoever who seeks to have atomic bombs more and more is just politically backward. And those who have these arsenals and are busy making new generations of those bombs are even more backward.
I think a disloyalty has occurred to the human community. Atomic energy power is a clean one. It’s a renewable one, and it is a positive [inaudible]. Up to this day, we’ve identified at least sixteen positive applications from it. We’re already aware that the extent to which we have used fossil fuels has imbalanced the climate of the world, brought about a lot of pollution, as well as a lot of diseases, as a result. So what’s wrong with all countries having peaceful nuclear power and enjoying the benefits of this energy? It’s actually a power that is constructively environmental. All those nuclear powers have come and said, well, having nuclear energy is the equivalent of having an atomic bomb pretty much—just a big lie.
AMY GOODMAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Tomorrow, part two of our conversation. But right now, we’re joined by Ervand Abrahamian. He’s an Iran expert, CUNY Distinguished Professor of History at Baruch College, City University of New York, author of a number of books, most recently, A History of Modern Iran.
Welcome to Democracy Now! Can you talk about both what the Iranian president said here and his overall trip? Was it a different message this year?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: No, it’s very much the same complacency, that, you know, everything’s fine. There may be some problems in Iran and in foreign relations, but overall, Iran is confident and is—basically the mantra of the administration in Iran is that no one in their right senses would think of attacking Iran. And I think the Iranian government’s whole policy is based on that. I wish I was as confident as Ahmadinejad is.
JUAN GONZALEZ: And his dismissing of the situation, the human rights situation, in Iran, basically ascribing any arrests to some lawbreakers? Your sense of what is the human rights situation right there?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Well, I mean, he basically changed the question and talked about, you know, the probably two million prisoners in America, which is of course true, but it certainly changes the topic of the discussion.
Now, in Iran, you can be imprisoned for the talking of abolishing capital punishment. In fact, that’s considered blasphemy, and academics have been charged with capital offense for actually questioning capital punishment. So, he doesn’t really want to address those issues. And there have been major purges in the university recently, and of course the plight of the newspapers is very dramatic. I mean, mass newspapers have been closed down. Editors have been brought before courts, and so on. So, I would find that the human rights situation—I would agree with the Human Rights Watch, that things are bad.
But I would like to stress that human rights organizations in Iran don’t want that issue involved with the US-Iran relations, because every time the US steps in and tries to champion a question of human rights, I think that backfires in Iran, because most Iranians know the history of US involvement in Iran, and they feel it’s hypocrisy when the Bush administration talks about human rights. So they would like to distance themselves. And Shirin Ebadi, of course, the Nobel Peace Prize, has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want this championing by the United States of the human rights issue.
AMY GOODMAN: Big protest outside. The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, the Israel Project, UJ Federation of New York, United Jewish Communities protested. They invited Hillary Clinton. She was going to speak. But they invited—then they invited Governor Palin, and so then Clinton pulled out, so they had had to disinvite Palin. And then you had the peace movement inside, meeting with Ahmadinejad.
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Yes, I think—I mean, the demonstrations outside are basically pushing for some sort of air strikes on the premise that Iran is an imminent threat and trying to build up that sort of pressure on the administration. And clearly, I think the Obama administration would not want to do that, but they would probably have a fair good hearing in the—if there was a McCain administration.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, we’re going to leave it there. Part two of our conversation tomorrow. We talk about the Israel-Palestine issue, we talk about the treatment of gay men and lesbians in Iran, and we talk about how the Iraq war has affected Iran with the Iranian president
President Ahmadinejad was interviewed recently in New York by Democracy Now
More...
Description:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Threat of US Attack and International Criticism of Iran’s Human Rights Record
In part one of an interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talks about the threat of a US attack on Iran and responds to international criticism of Iran’s human rights record. We also get reaction from CUNY Professor Ervand Abrahamian, an Iran expert and author of several books on Iran.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations General Assembly this week, while the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, is meeting in Vienna to discuss Iran’s alleged nuclear program. An IAEA report earlier this month criticized Iran for failing to fully respond to questions about its nuclear activities.
The European Union told the IAEA Wednesday that it believes Iran is moving closer to being able to arm a nuclear warhead. Iran could face a fourth set of Security Council sanctions over its nuclear activities, but this week Russia has refused to meet with the US on this issue.
The Iranian president refuted the IAEA’s charges in his speech to the General Assembly and accused the agency of succumbing to political pressure. He also welcomed talks with the United States if it cuts back threats to use military force against Iran.
AMY GOODMAN: As with every visit of the Iranian president to New York, some groups protested outside the United Nations. But this year, President Ahmadinejad also met with a large delegation of American peace activists concerned with the escalating possibility of war with Iran.
Well, yesterday, just before their meeting, Juan Gonzalez and I sat down with the Iranian president at his hotel, blocks from the UN, for a wide-ranging discussion about US-Iran relations, Iran’s nuclear program, threat of war with the US, the Israel-Palestine conflict, human rights in Iran and much more.
Today, part one of our interview with the Iranian president.
AMY GOODMAN: Welcome to Democracy Now!, President Ahmadinejad. You’ve come to the United States. What is your message to people in the United States and to the world community at the UN?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] In the name of God, the compassion of the Merciful, the president started by reciting verses from the Holy Quran in Arabic.
Hello. Hello to the people of America. The message from the nation and people of Iran is one of peace, tranquility and brotherhood. We believe that viable peace and security can happen when it is based on justice and piety and purity. Otherwise, no peace will occur.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Mr. President, you’re faced now in Iran with American soldiers in Iraq to your west, with American soldiers and NATO troops to your east in Afghanistan, and with Blackwater, the notorious military contractor, training the military in Azerbaijan, another neighbor of yours. What is the effect on your country of this enormous presence of American forces around Iran and the impact of these wars on your own population?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] It’s quite natural that when there are wars around your borders, it brings about negative repercussions for the entire region. These days, insecurity cannot be bordered; it just extends beyond boundaries. In the past two years, we had several cases of bomb explosions in southern towns in Iran carried out by people who were supervised by the occupying forces in our neighborhood. And in Afghanistan, following the presence of NATO troops, the production of illicit drugs has multiplied. It’s natural that it basically places pressure on Iran, including costly ones in order to fight the flow of illicit drugs.
We believe the people in the region are able to establish security themselves, on their own, so there is no need for foreigners and external forces, because these external forces have not helped the security of the region.
AMY GOODMAN: Do you see them as a threat to you?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, it’s natural that when there is insecurity, it threatens everyone.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to turn for a moment to your domestic policies and law enforcement in your country. Human Rights Watch, which has often criticized the legal system in the United States, says that, under your presidency, there has been a great expansion in the scope and the number of individuals and activities persecuted by the government. They say that you’ve jailed teachers who are fighting for wages and better pensions, students and activists working for reform, and other labor leaders, like Mansour Ossanlou from the bus workers’ union. What is your response to these criticisms of your policies?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] I think that the human rights situation in Iran is relatively a good one, when compared to the United States and other countries. Of course, when we look at the ideals that are dear to us, we understand that we still need to do a lot, because we seek divine and religious ideals and revolutionary ones. But when we compare ourselves with some European countries and the United States, we feel we’re in a much better place.
A large part of the information that these groups receive come from criticisms coming from groups that oppose the government. If you look at it, we have elections in Iran every year. And the propaganda is always around, too. But they’re not always true. Groups accuse one another.
But within the region and compared to the United States, we have the smallest number of prisoners, because in Iran, in general, there is not so much inclination to imprison people. We’re actually looking at our existing laws right now to see how we can eliminate most prisons around the country. So, you can see that people in Iran like each other. They live coexistently and like the government, too. This news is more important to these groups, not so much for the Iranian people. You have to remember, we have over 70 million people in our country, and we have laws. Some people might violate it, and then, according to the law, the judiciary takes charge. And this happens everywhere. What really matters is that in the end there are the least amount of such violations of the law in Iran, the least number.
So, I think the interpretation of these events is a wrong one. The relationship between the people and the government in Iran is actually a very close one. And criticizing the government is absolutely free for all. That’s exactly why everyone says what they want. There’s really no restrictions. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everything you hear is always true. And the government doesn’t really respond to it, either. It’s just free.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Let me ask you in particular about the question of the execution of juveniles. My understanding is that Iran is one of only five or six nations in the world that still execute juveniles convicted of capital offenses and that you—by far, you execute the most. I think twenty-six of the last thirty-two juveniles executed in the world were executed in Iran. How is this a reflection of the—of a state guided by religious principles, to execute young people?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Firstly, nobody is executed under the age of eighteen in Iran. This is the first point. And then, please pay attention to the fact that the legal age in Iran is different from yours. It’s not eighteen and doesn’t have to be eighteen everywhere. So, it’s different in different countries. I’ll ask you, if a person who happens to be seventeen years old and nine months kills one of your relatives, will you just overlook that?
AMY GOODMAN: We’ll continue our interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad after break.
[break]
AMY GOODMAN: We return to our interview with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to ask you, recently the Bush administration agreed to provide Israel with many new bunker buster bombs that people speculate might be used against Iran. Your reaction to this decision by the Bush administration? And do you—and there have been numerous reports in the American press of the Bush administration seeking to finance a secret war against Iran right now.
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, we actually think that the US administration and some other governments have equipped the Zionist regime with the nuclear warhead for those bombs, too. So, what are we to tell the American administration, a government that seeks a solution to all problems through war? Their logic is one of war. In the past twenty years, Americans’ military expenditures have multiplied. So I think the problem should be resolved somewhere else, meaning the people of America themselves must decide about their future. Do they like new wars to be waged in their names that kill nations or have their money spent on warfare? So I think that’s where the problem can be addressed.
AMY GOODMAN: The investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said the Bush administration held a meeting in Vice President Cheney’s office to discuss ways to provoke a war with Iran. Hersh said it was considered possibly a meeting to stage an incident, that it would appear that Iranian boats had attacked US forces in the Straits of Hormuz. Do you have any evidence of this?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, you have to pay attention to find that a lot of this kind of stuff is published out there. There’s no need for us to react to it.
Of course, Mr. Bush is very interested to start a new war. But he confronts two big barriers. One is the incapability in terms of maneuverability and operationally. Iran is a very big country, a very powerful country, very much capable of defending itself. The second barrier is the United States itself. We think there are enough wise people in this country to prevent the unreasonable actions by the administration. Even among the military commanders here, there are many people with wisdom who will stop a new war. I think the beginning or the starting a new war will mark the beginning of the end of the United States of America. Many people can understand that.
But I also think that Mr. Bush’s administration is coming to an end. Mr. Bush still has one other chance to make up for the mistakes he did in the past. He has no time to add to those list of mistakes. He can only make up for them. And that’s a very good opportunity to have. So, I would advise him to take advantage of this opportunity, so that at least while you’re in power, you do a couple—few good acts, as well. It’s better than to end one’s work with a report card of failures and of abhorrent acts. We’re willing to help him in doing good. We’ll be very happy.
AMY GOODMAN: And your nuclear program?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Our time seems to be over, but our nuclear program is peaceful. It’s very transparent for everyone to see.
Your media is a progressive one. Let me just say a sentence here.
I think that the time for the atomic bomb has reached an end. Don’t you feel that yourself? What will determine the future is culture, it’s the power of thought. Was the atomic bomb able to save the former Soviet Union from collapsing? Was it able to give victory to the Zionist regime of confronting the Palestinians? Was it able to resolve America’s or US problems in Iraq and Afghanistan? Naturally, its usage has come to an end.
It’s very wrong to spend people’s money building new atomic bombs. This money should be spent on creating welfare, prosperity, health, education, employment, and as aid that should be distributed among others’ countries, to destroy the reasons for war and for insecurity and terrorism. Rest assured, whoever who seeks to have atomic bombs more and more is just politically backward. And those who have these arsenals and are busy making new generations of those bombs are even more backward.
I think a disloyalty has occurred to the human community. Atomic energy power is a clean one. It’s a renewable one, and it is a positive [inaudible]. Up to this day, we’ve identified at least sixteen positive applications from it. We’re already aware that the extent to which we have used fossil fuels has imbalanced the climate of the world, brought about a lot of pollution, as well as a lot of diseases, as a result. So what’s wrong with all countries having peaceful nuclear power and enjoying the benefits of this energy? It’s actually a power that is constructively environmental. All those nuclear powers have come and said, well, having nuclear energy is the equivalent of having an atomic bomb pretty much—just a big lie.
AMY GOODMAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Tomorrow, part two of our conversation. But right now, we’re joined by Ervand Abrahamian. He’s an Iran expert, CUNY Distinguished Professor of History at Baruch College, City University of New York, author of a number of books, most recently, A History of Modern Iran.
Welcome to Democracy Now! Can you talk about both what the Iranian president said here and his overall trip? Was it a different message this year?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: No, it’s very much the same complacency, that, you know, everything’s fine. There may be some problems in Iran and in foreign relations, but overall, Iran is confident and is—basically the mantra of the administration in Iran is that no one in their right senses would think of attacking Iran. And I think the Iranian government’s whole policy is based on that. I wish I was as confident as Ahmadinejad is.
JUAN GONZALEZ: And his dismissing of the situation, the human rights situation, in Iran, basically ascribing any arrests to some lawbreakers? Your sense of what is the human rights situation right there?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Well, I mean, he basically changed the question and talked about, you know, the probably two million prisoners in America, which is of course true, but it certainly changes the topic of the discussion.
Now, in Iran, you can be imprisoned for the talking of abolishing capital punishment. In fact, that’s considered blasphemy, and academics have been charged with capital offense for actually questioning capital punishment. So, he doesn’t really want to address those issues. And there have been major purges in the university recently, and of course the plight of the newspapers is very dramatic. I mean, mass newspapers have been closed down. Editors have been brought before courts, and so on. So, I would find that the human rights situation—I would agree with the Human Rights Watch, that things are bad.
But I would like to stress that human rights organizations in Iran don’t want that issue involved with the US-Iran relations, because every time the US steps in and tries to champion a question of human rights, I think that backfires in Iran, because most Iranians know the history of US involvement in Iran, and they feel it’s hypocrisy when the Bush administration talks about human rights. So they would like to distance themselves. And Shirin Ebadi, of course, the Nobel Peace Prize, has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want this championing by the United States of the human rights issue.
AMY GOODMAN: Big protest outside. The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, the Israel Project, UJ Federation of New York, United Jewish Communities protested. They invited Hillary Clinton. She was going to speak. But they invited—then they invited Governor Palin, and so then Clinton pulled out, so they had had to disinvite Palin. And then you had the peace movement inside, meeting with Ahmadinejad.
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Yes, I think—I mean, the demonstrations outside are basically pushing for some sort of air strikes on the premise that Iran is an imminent threat and trying to build up that sort of pressure on the administration. And clearly, I think the Obama administration would not want to do that, but they would probably have a fair good hearing in the—if there was a McCain administration.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, we’re going to leave it there. Part two of our conversation tomorrow. We talk about the Israel-Palestine issue, we talk about the treatment of gay men and lesbians in Iran, and we talk about how the Iraq war has affected Iran with the Iranian president
President Ahmadinejad was interviewed recently in New York by Democracy Now
President Ahmadinejad Interview Sept 08 with Democracy Now - Part 2 - English
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Threat of US Attack and International Criticism of Iran’s Human Rights Record
In part one of an interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez,...
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Threat of US Attack and International Criticism of Iran’s Human Rights Record
In part one of an interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talks about the threat of a US attack on Iran and responds to international criticism of Iran’s human rights record. We also get reaction from CUNY Professor Ervand Abrahamian, an Iran expert and author of several books on Iran.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations General Assembly this week, while the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, is meeting in Vienna to discuss Iran’s alleged nuclear program. An IAEA report earlier this month criticized Iran for failing to fully respond to questions about its nuclear activities.
The European Union told the IAEA Wednesday that it believes Iran is moving closer to being able to arm a nuclear warhead. Iran could face a fourth set of Security Council sanctions over its nuclear activities, but this week Russia has refused to meet with the US on this issue.
The Iranian president refuted the IAEA’s charges in his speech to the General Assembly and accused the agency of succumbing to political pressure. He also welcomed talks with the United States if it cuts back threats to use military force against Iran.
AMY GOODMAN: As with every visit of the Iranian president to New York, some groups protested outside the United Nations. But this year, President Ahmadinejad also met with a large delegation of American peace activists concerned with the escalating possibility of war with Iran.
Well, yesterday, just before their meeting, Juan Gonzalez and I sat down with the Iranian president at his hotel, blocks from the UN, for a wide-ranging discussion about US-Iran relations, Iran’s nuclear program, threat of war with the US, the Israel-Palestine conflict, human rights in Iran and much more.
Today, part one of our interview with the Iranian president.
AMY GOODMAN: Welcome to Democracy Now!, President Ahmadinejad. You’ve come to the United States. What is your message to people in the United States and to the world community at the UN?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] In the name of God, the compassion of the Merciful, the president started by reciting verses from the Holy Quran in Arabic.
Hello. Hello to the people of America. The message from the nation and people of Iran is one of peace, tranquility and brotherhood. We believe that viable peace and security can happen when it is based on justice and piety and purity. Otherwise, no peace will occur.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Mr. President, you’re faced now in Iran with American soldiers in Iraq to your west, with American soldiers and NATO troops to your east in Afghanistan, and with Blackwater, the notorious military contractor, training the military in Azerbaijan, another neighbor of yours. What is the effect on your country of this enormous presence of American forces around Iran and the impact of these wars on your own population?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] It’s quite natural that when there are wars around your borders, it brings about negative repercussions for the entire region. These days, insecurity cannot be bordered; it just extends beyond boundaries. In the past two years, we had several cases of bomb explosions in southern towns in Iran carried out by people who were supervised by the occupying forces in our neighborhood. And in Afghanistan, following the presence of NATO troops, the production of illicit drugs has multiplied. It’s natural that it basically places pressure on Iran, including costly ones in order to fight the flow of illicit drugs.
We believe the people in the region are able to establish security themselves, on their own, so there is no need for foreigners and external forces, because these external forces have not helped the security of the region.
AMY GOODMAN: Do you see them as a threat to you?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, it’s natural that when there is insecurity, it threatens everyone.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to turn for a moment to your domestic policies and law enforcement in your country. Human Rights Watch, which has often criticized the legal system in the United States, says that, under your presidency, there has been a great expansion in the scope and the number of individuals and activities persecuted by the government. They say that you’ve jailed teachers who are fighting for wages and better pensions, students and activists working for reform, and other labor leaders, like Mansour Ossanlou from the bus workers’ union. What is your response to these criticisms of your policies?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] I think that the human rights situation in Iran is relatively a good one, when compared to the United States and other countries. Of course, when we look at the ideals that are dear to us, we understand that we still need to do a lot, because we seek divine and religious ideals and revolutionary ones. But when we compare ourselves with some European countries and the United States, we feel we’re in a much better place.
A large part of the information that these groups receive come from criticisms coming from groups that oppose the government. If you look at it, we have elections in Iran every year. And the propaganda is always around, too. But they’re not always true. Groups accuse one another.
But within the region and compared to the United States, we have the smallest number of prisoners, because in Iran, in general, there is not so much inclination to imprison people. We’re actually looking at our existing laws right now to see how we can eliminate most prisons around the country. So, you can see that people in Iran like each other. They live coexistently and like the government, too. This news is more important to these groups, not so much for the Iranian people. You have to remember, we have over 70 million people in our country, and we have laws. Some people might violate it, and then, according to the law, the judiciary takes charge. And this happens everywhere. What really matters is that in the end there are the least amount of such violations of the law in Iran, the least number.
So, I think the interpretation of these events is a wrong one. The relationship between the people and the government in Iran is actually a very close one. And criticizing the government is absolutely free for all. That’s exactly why everyone says what they want. There’s really no restrictions. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everything you hear is always true. And the government doesn’t really respond to it, either. It’s just free.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Let me ask you in particular about the question of the execution of juveniles. My understanding is that Iran is one of only five or six nations in the world that still execute juveniles convicted of capital offenses and that you—by far, you execute the most. I think twenty-six of the last thirty-two juveniles executed in the world were executed in Iran. How is this a reflection of the—of a state guided by religious principles, to execute young people?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Firstly, nobody is executed under the age of eighteen in Iran. This is the first point. And then, please pay attention to the fact that the legal age in Iran is different from yours. It’s not eighteen and doesn’t have to be eighteen everywhere. So, it’s different in different countries. I’ll ask you, if a person who happens to be seventeen years old and nine months kills one of your relatives, will you just overlook that?
AMY GOODMAN: We’ll continue our interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad after break.
[break]
AMY GOODMAN: We return to our interview with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to ask you, recently the Bush administration agreed to provide Israel with many new bunker buster bombs that people speculate might be used against Iran. Your reaction to this decision by the Bush administration? And do you—and there have been numerous reports in the American press of the Bush administration seeking to finance a secret war against Iran right now.
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, we actually think that the US administration and some other governments have equipped the Zionist regime with the nuclear warhead for those bombs, too. So, what are we to tell the American administration, a government that seeks a solution to all problems through war? Their logic is one of war. In the past twenty years, Americans’ military expenditures have multiplied. So I think the problem should be resolved somewhere else, meaning the people of America themselves must decide about their future. Do they like new wars to be waged in their names that kill nations or have their money spent on warfare? So I think that’s where the problem can be addressed.
AMY GOODMAN: The investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said the Bush administration held a meeting in Vice President Cheney’s office to discuss ways to provoke a war with Iran. Hersh said it was considered possibly a meeting to stage an incident, that it would appear that Iranian boats had attacked US forces in the Straits of Hormuz. Do you have any evidence of this?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, you have to pay attention to find that a lot of this kind of stuff is published out there. There’s no need for us to react to it.
Of course, Mr. Bush is very interested to start a new war. But he confronts two big barriers. One is the incapability in terms of maneuverability and operationally. Iran is a very big country, a very powerful country, very much capable of defending itself. The second barrier is the United States itself. We think there are enough wise people in this country to prevent the unreasonable actions by the administration. Even among the military commanders here, there are many people with wisdom who will stop a new war. I think the beginning or the starting a new war will mark the beginning of the end of the United States of America. Many people can understand that.
But I also think that Mr. Bush’s administration is coming to an end. Mr. Bush still has one other chance to make up for the mistakes he did in the past. He has no time to add to those list of mistakes. He can only make up for them. And that’s a very good opportunity to have. So, I would advise him to take advantage of this opportunity, so that at least while you’re in power, you do a couple—few good acts, as well. It’s better than to end one’s work with a report card of failures and of abhorrent acts. We’re willing to help him in doing good. We’ll be very happy.
AMY GOODMAN: And your nuclear program?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Our time seems to be over, but our nuclear program is peaceful. It’s very transparent for everyone to see.
Your media is a progressive one. Let me just say a sentence here.
I think that the time for the atomic bomb has reached an end. Don’t you feel that yourself? What will determine the future is culture, it’s the power of thought. Was the atomic bomb able to save the former Soviet Union from collapsing? Was it able to give victory to the Zionist regime of confronting the Palestinians? Was it able to resolve America’s or US problems in Iraq and Afghanistan? Naturally, its usage has come to an end.
It’s very wrong to spend people’s money building new atomic bombs. This money should be spent on creating welfare, prosperity, health, education, employment, and as aid that should be distributed among others’ countries, to destroy the reasons for war and for insecurity and terrorism. Rest assured, whoever who seeks to have atomic bombs more and more is just politically backward. And those who have these arsenals and are busy making new generations of those bombs are even more backward.
I think a disloyalty has occurred to the human community. Atomic energy power is a clean one. It’s a renewable one, and it is a positive [inaudible]. Up to this day, we’ve identified at least sixteen positive applications from it. We’re already aware that the extent to which we have used fossil fuels has imbalanced the climate of the world, brought about a lot of pollution, as well as a lot of diseases, as a result. So what’s wrong with all countries having peaceful nuclear power and enjoying the benefits of this energy? It’s actually a power that is constructively environmental. All those nuclear powers have come and said, well, having nuclear energy is the equivalent of having an atomic bomb pretty much—just a big lie.
AMY GOODMAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Tomorrow, part two of our conversation. But right now, we’re joined by Ervand Abrahamian. He’s an Iran expert, CUNY Distinguished Professor of History at Baruch College, City University of New York, author of a number of books, most recently, A History of Modern Iran.
Welcome to Democracy Now! Can you talk about both what the Iranian president said here and his overall trip? Was it a different message this year?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: No, it’s very much the same complacency, that, you know, everything’s fine. There may be some problems in Iran and in foreign relations, but overall, Iran is confident and is—basically the mantra of the administration in Iran is that no one in their right senses would think of attacking Iran. And I think the Iranian government’s whole policy is based on that. I wish I was as confident as Ahmadinejad is.
JUAN GONZALEZ: And his dismissing of the situation, the human rights situation, in Iran, basically ascribing any arrests to some lawbreakers? Your sense of what is the human rights situation right there?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Well, I mean, he basically changed the question and talked about, you know, the probably two million prisoners in America, which is of course true, but it certainly changes the topic of the discussion.
Now, in Iran, you can be imprisoned for the talking of abolishing capital punishment. In fact, that’s considered blasphemy, and academics have been charged with capital offense for actually questioning capital punishment. So, he doesn’t really want to address those issues. And there have been major purges in the university recently, and of course the plight of the newspapers is very dramatic. I mean, mass newspapers have been closed down. Editors have been brought before courts, and so on. So, I would find that the human rights situation—I would agree with the Human Rights Watch, that things are bad.
But I would like to stress that human rights organizations in Iran don’t want that issue involved with the US-Iran relations, because every time the US steps in and tries to champion a question of human rights, I think that backfires in Iran, because most Iranians know the history of US involvement in Iran, and they feel it’s hypocrisy when the Bush administration talks about human rights. So they would like to distance themselves. And Shirin Ebadi, of course, the Nobel Peace Prize, has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want this championing by the United States of the human rights issue.
AMY GOODMAN: Big protest outside. The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, the Israel Project, UJ Federation of New York, United Jewish Communities protested. They invited Hillary Clinton. She was going to speak. But they invited—then they invited Governor Palin, and so then Clinton pulled out, so they had had to disinvite Palin. And then you had the peace movement inside, meeting with Ahmadinejad.
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Yes, I think—I mean, the demonstrations outside are basically pushing for some sort of air strikes on the premise that Iran is an imminent threat and trying to build up that sort of pressure on the administration. And clearly, I think the Obama administration would not want to do that, but they would probably have a fair good hearing in the—if there was a McCain administration.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, we’re going to leave it there. Part two of our conversation tomorrow. We talk about the Israel-Palestine issue, we talk about the treatment of gay men and lesbians in Iran, and we talk about how the Iraq war has affected Iran with the Iranian president
More...
Description:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Threat of US Attack and International Criticism of Iran’s Human Rights Record
In part one of an interview with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talks about the threat of a US attack on Iran and responds to international criticism of Iran’s human rights record. We also get reaction from CUNY Professor Ervand Abrahamian, an Iran expert and author of several books on Iran.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations General Assembly this week, while the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, is meeting in Vienna to discuss Iran’s alleged nuclear program. An IAEA report earlier this month criticized Iran for failing to fully respond to questions about its nuclear activities.
The European Union told the IAEA Wednesday that it believes Iran is moving closer to being able to arm a nuclear warhead. Iran could face a fourth set of Security Council sanctions over its nuclear activities, but this week Russia has refused to meet with the US on this issue.
The Iranian president refuted the IAEA’s charges in his speech to the General Assembly and accused the agency of succumbing to political pressure. He also welcomed talks with the United States if it cuts back threats to use military force against Iran.
AMY GOODMAN: As with every visit of the Iranian president to New York, some groups protested outside the United Nations. But this year, President Ahmadinejad also met with a large delegation of American peace activists concerned with the escalating possibility of war with Iran.
Well, yesterday, just before their meeting, Juan Gonzalez and I sat down with the Iranian president at his hotel, blocks from the UN, for a wide-ranging discussion about US-Iran relations, Iran’s nuclear program, threat of war with the US, the Israel-Palestine conflict, human rights in Iran and much more.
Today, part one of our interview with the Iranian president.
AMY GOODMAN: Welcome to Democracy Now!, President Ahmadinejad. You’ve come to the United States. What is your message to people in the United States and to the world community at the UN?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] In the name of God, the compassion of the Merciful, the president started by reciting verses from the Holy Quran in Arabic.
Hello. Hello to the people of America. The message from the nation and people of Iran is one of peace, tranquility and brotherhood. We believe that viable peace and security can happen when it is based on justice and piety and purity. Otherwise, no peace will occur.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Mr. President, you’re faced now in Iran with American soldiers in Iraq to your west, with American soldiers and NATO troops to your east in Afghanistan, and with Blackwater, the notorious military contractor, training the military in Azerbaijan, another neighbor of yours. What is the effect on your country of this enormous presence of American forces around Iran and the impact of these wars on your own population?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] It’s quite natural that when there are wars around your borders, it brings about negative repercussions for the entire region. These days, insecurity cannot be bordered; it just extends beyond boundaries. In the past two years, we had several cases of bomb explosions in southern towns in Iran carried out by people who were supervised by the occupying forces in our neighborhood. And in Afghanistan, following the presence of NATO troops, the production of illicit drugs has multiplied. It’s natural that it basically places pressure on Iran, including costly ones in order to fight the flow of illicit drugs.
We believe the people in the region are able to establish security themselves, on their own, so there is no need for foreigners and external forces, because these external forces have not helped the security of the region.
AMY GOODMAN: Do you see them as a threat to you?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, it’s natural that when there is insecurity, it threatens everyone.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to turn for a moment to your domestic policies and law enforcement in your country. Human Rights Watch, which has often criticized the legal system in the United States, says that, under your presidency, there has been a great expansion in the scope and the number of individuals and activities persecuted by the government. They say that you’ve jailed teachers who are fighting for wages and better pensions, students and activists working for reform, and other labor leaders, like Mansour Ossanlou from the bus workers’ union. What is your response to these criticisms of your policies?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] I think that the human rights situation in Iran is relatively a good one, when compared to the United States and other countries. Of course, when we look at the ideals that are dear to us, we understand that we still need to do a lot, because we seek divine and religious ideals and revolutionary ones. But when we compare ourselves with some European countries and the United States, we feel we’re in a much better place.
A large part of the information that these groups receive come from criticisms coming from groups that oppose the government. If you look at it, we have elections in Iran every year. And the propaganda is always around, too. But they’re not always true. Groups accuse one another.
But within the region and compared to the United States, we have the smallest number of prisoners, because in Iran, in general, there is not so much inclination to imprison people. We’re actually looking at our existing laws right now to see how we can eliminate most prisons around the country. So, you can see that people in Iran like each other. They live coexistently and like the government, too. This news is more important to these groups, not so much for the Iranian people. You have to remember, we have over 70 million people in our country, and we have laws. Some people might violate it, and then, according to the law, the judiciary takes charge. And this happens everywhere. What really matters is that in the end there are the least amount of such violations of the law in Iran, the least number.
So, I think the interpretation of these events is a wrong one. The relationship between the people and the government in Iran is actually a very close one. And criticizing the government is absolutely free for all. That’s exactly why everyone says what they want. There’s really no restrictions. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everything you hear is always true. And the government doesn’t really respond to it, either. It’s just free.
JUAN GONZALEZ: Let me ask you in particular about the question of the execution of juveniles. My understanding is that Iran is one of only five or six nations in the world that still execute juveniles convicted of capital offenses and that you—by far, you execute the most. I think twenty-six of the last thirty-two juveniles executed in the world were executed in Iran. How is this a reflection of the—of a state guided by religious principles, to execute young people?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Firstly, nobody is executed under the age of eighteen in Iran. This is the first point. And then, please pay attention to the fact that the legal age in Iran is different from yours. It’s not eighteen and doesn’t have to be eighteen everywhere. So, it’s different in different countries. I’ll ask you, if a person who happens to be seventeen years old and nine months kills one of your relatives, will you just overlook that?
AMY GOODMAN: We’ll continue our interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad after break.
[break]
AMY GOODMAN: We return to our interview with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
JUAN GONZALEZ: I’d like to ask you, recently the Bush administration agreed to provide Israel with many new bunker buster bombs that people speculate might be used against Iran. Your reaction to this decision by the Bush administration? And do you—and there have been numerous reports in the American press of the Bush administration seeking to finance a secret war against Iran right now.
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, we actually think that the US administration and some other governments have equipped the Zionist regime with the nuclear warhead for those bombs, too. So, what are we to tell the American administration, a government that seeks a solution to all problems through war? Their logic is one of war. In the past twenty years, Americans’ military expenditures have multiplied. So I think the problem should be resolved somewhere else, meaning the people of America themselves must decide about their future. Do they like new wars to be waged in their names that kill nations or have their money spent on warfare? So I think that’s where the problem can be addressed.
AMY GOODMAN: The investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said the Bush administration held a meeting in Vice President Cheney’s office to discuss ways to provoke a war with Iran. Hersh said it was considered possibly a meeting to stage an incident, that it would appear that Iranian boats had attacked US forces in the Straits of Hormuz. Do you have any evidence of this?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Well, you have to pay attention to find that a lot of this kind of stuff is published out there. There’s no need for us to react to it.
Of course, Mr. Bush is very interested to start a new war. But he confronts two big barriers. One is the incapability in terms of maneuverability and operationally. Iran is a very big country, a very powerful country, very much capable of defending itself. The second barrier is the United States itself. We think there are enough wise people in this country to prevent the unreasonable actions by the administration. Even among the military commanders here, there are many people with wisdom who will stop a new war. I think the beginning or the starting a new war will mark the beginning of the end of the United States of America. Many people can understand that.
But I also think that Mr. Bush’s administration is coming to an end. Mr. Bush still has one other chance to make up for the mistakes he did in the past. He has no time to add to those list of mistakes. He can only make up for them. And that’s a very good opportunity to have. So, I would advise him to take advantage of this opportunity, so that at least while you’re in power, you do a couple—few good acts, as well. It’s better than to end one’s work with a report card of failures and of abhorrent acts. We’re willing to help him in doing good. We’ll be very happy.
AMY GOODMAN: And your nuclear program?
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: [translated] Our time seems to be over, but our nuclear program is peaceful. It’s very transparent for everyone to see.
Your media is a progressive one. Let me just say a sentence here.
I think that the time for the atomic bomb has reached an end. Don’t you feel that yourself? What will determine the future is culture, it’s the power of thought. Was the atomic bomb able to save the former Soviet Union from collapsing? Was it able to give victory to the Zionist regime of confronting the Palestinians? Was it able to resolve America’s or US problems in Iraq and Afghanistan? Naturally, its usage has come to an end.
It’s very wrong to spend people’s money building new atomic bombs. This money should be spent on creating welfare, prosperity, health, education, employment, and as aid that should be distributed among others’ countries, to destroy the reasons for war and for insecurity and terrorism. Rest assured, whoever who seeks to have atomic bombs more and more is just politically backward. And those who have these arsenals and are busy making new generations of those bombs are even more backward.
I think a disloyalty has occurred to the human community. Atomic energy power is a clean one. It’s a renewable one, and it is a positive [inaudible]. Up to this day, we’ve identified at least sixteen positive applications from it. We’re already aware that the extent to which we have used fossil fuels has imbalanced the climate of the world, brought about a lot of pollution, as well as a lot of diseases, as a result. So what’s wrong with all countries having peaceful nuclear power and enjoying the benefits of this energy? It’s actually a power that is constructively environmental. All those nuclear powers have come and said, well, having nuclear energy is the equivalent of having an atomic bomb pretty much—just a big lie.
AMY GOODMAN: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Tomorrow, part two of our conversation. But right now, we’re joined by Ervand Abrahamian. He’s an Iran expert, CUNY Distinguished Professor of History at Baruch College, City University of New York, author of a number of books, most recently, A History of Modern Iran.
Welcome to Democracy Now! Can you talk about both what the Iranian president said here and his overall trip? Was it a different message this year?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: No, it’s very much the same complacency, that, you know, everything’s fine. There may be some problems in Iran and in foreign relations, but overall, Iran is confident and is—basically the mantra of the administration in Iran is that no one in their right senses would think of attacking Iran. And I think the Iranian government’s whole policy is based on that. I wish I was as confident as Ahmadinejad is.
JUAN GONZALEZ: And his dismissing of the situation, the human rights situation, in Iran, basically ascribing any arrests to some lawbreakers? Your sense of what is the human rights situation right there?
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Well, I mean, he basically changed the question and talked about, you know, the probably two million prisoners in America, which is of course true, but it certainly changes the topic of the discussion.
Now, in Iran, you can be imprisoned for the talking of abolishing capital punishment. In fact, that’s considered blasphemy, and academics have been charged with capital offense for actually questioning capital punishment. So, he doesn’t really want to address those issues. And there have been major purges in the university recently, and of course the plight of the newspapers is very dramatic. I mean, mass newspapers have been closed down. Editors have been brought before courts, and so on. So, I would find that the human rights situation—I would agree with the Human Rights Watch, that things are bad.
But I would like to stress that human rights organizations in Iran don’t want that issue involved with the US-Iran relations, because every time the US steps in and tries to champion a question of human rights, I think that backfires in Iran, because most Iranians know the history of US involvement in Iran, and they feel it’s hypocrisy when the Bush administration talks about human rights. So they would like to distance themselves. And Shirin Ebadi, of course, the Nobel Peace Prize, has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want this championing by the United States of the human rights issue.
AMY GOODMAN: Big protest outside. The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, the Israel Project, UJ Federation of New York, United Jewish Communities protested. They invited Hillary Clinton. She was going to speak. But they invited—then they invited Governor Palin, and so then Clinton pulled out, so they had had to disinvite Palin. And then you had the peace movement inside, meeting with Ahmadinejad.
ERVAND ABRAHAMIAN: Yes, I think—I mean, the demonstrations outside are basically pushing for some sort of air strikes on the premise that Iran is an imminent threat and trying to build up that sort of pressure on the administration. And clearly, I think the Obama administration would not want to do that, but they would probably have a fair good hearing in the—if there was a McCain administration.
AMY GOODMAN: Well, we’re going to leave it there. Part two of our conversation tomorrow. We talk about the Israel-Palestine issue, we talk about the treatment of gay men and lesbians in Iran, and we talk about how the Iraq war has affected Iran with the Iranian president