0:51
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[28 May 13] US will fail to discourage public participation in presidential poll - English
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says American officials will once again fail in their attempts to discourage public participation in Iran\\\\\\\'s upcoming elections.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says American officials will once again fail in their attempts to discourage public participation in Iran\\\\\\\'s upcoming elections.
24:42
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Vali Amr Muslimeen attends Graduation Ceremony at Imam Hossein (a.s.) University - Farsi
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei says American officials will once again fail in their attempts to discourage public participation in Iran\\\\\\\'s upcoming elections....
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei says American officials will once again fail in their attempts to discourage public participation in Iran\\\\\\\'s upcoming elections.
The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the students of Imam Hussein University on Monday 27th May 2013.
Ayatollah Khamenei advised Iranians to carefully consider the words of the candidates in order to choose the most competent one.
\\\\\\\"The people should choose a candidate who can pave the way for the glory of the future of the Revolution and the country and [who] can solve the problems [of the country] and resist against enemies and can turn the Islamic Republic into a role model for the oppressed of the world.\\\\\\\"
The Leader made the remark after US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday called into question the credibility of Iran\\\\\\\'s presidential election, criticizing the disapproving of candidates by the Guardian Council- Iran\\\\\\\'s top constitutional supervisory body.
Kerry also accused the Guardian Council of choosing candidates that represent the interests of the Iranian establishment.
Those who express opinions about Iran\\\\\\\'s election are the same people whose Guantanamo Prison, drones over the impoverished villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan, warmongering policies in the region and unconditional support for the criminal Zionist regime are a source of shame and a mark of stain, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
\\\\\\\"We do not know who will become president and to whom God will incline the hearts of people,\\\\\\\" the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said electing the highest-ranking executive official of the country is a sensitive and important task for which there are legal procedures to be followed accordingly.
The Leader said the election atmosphere must be lively and that debates must be free from hatemongering.
Iranians will go to the polls in the nation\\\\\\\'s 11th presidential election on June 14.
More...
Description:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei says American officials will once again fail in their attempts to discourage public participation in Iran\\\\\\\'s upcoming elections.
The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the students of Imam Hussein University on Monday 27th May 2013.
Ayatollah Khamenei advised Iranians to carefully consider the words of the candidates in order to choose the most competent one.
\\\\\\\"The people should choose a candidate who can pave the way for the glory of the future of the Revolution and the country and [who] can solve the problems [of the country] and resist against enemies and can turn the Islamic Republic into a role model for the oppressed of the world.\\\\\\\"
The Leader made the remark after US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday called into question the credibility of Iran\\\\\\\'s presidential election, criticizing the disapproving of candidates by the Guardian Council- Iran\\\\\\\'s top constitutional supervisory body.
Kerry also accused the Guardian Council of choosing candidates that represent the interests of the Iranian establishment.
Those who express opinions about Iran\\\\\\\'s election are the same people whose Guantanamo Prison, drones over the impoverished villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan, warmongering policies in the region and unconditional support for the criminal Zionist regime are a source of shame and a mark of stain, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
\\\\\\\"We do not know who will become president and to whom God will incline the hearts of people,\\\\\\\" the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei said electing the highest-ranking executive official of the country is a sensitive and important task for which there are legal procedures to be followed accordingly.
The Leader said the election atmosphere must be lively and that debates must be free from hatemongering.
Iranians will go to the polls in the nation\\\\\\\'s 11th presidential election on June 14.
7:04
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20:12
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[10 June 13] Media corruption in Italy - English
Recent elections outcome have proven Italy to be an anomalous country. One of its most dangerous anomalies concerns newspaper ownership. Business, economic and political interests within the press...
Recent elections outcome have proven Italy to be an anomalous country. One of its most dangerous anomalies concerns newspaper ownership. Business, economic and political interests within the press favor censorship.
Conflict of interest concerns all major Italian media groups and news organizations, such as RCS, L\'Espresso editorial group, Fininvest, Caltagirone editor and many others.
The type of political and business control concerning the press is even more dangerous. Italian newspapers are affected by an astonishing ethical crisis that is far from being solved.
El Pais journalist Juan Arias once said that \"the intertwining between politics and journalism is one of the cancers of Italian journalism.\"
He added that in Italy, journalism is completely tied to power: \"every journalist had been accepted because of a politician\'s recommendation and to that politician, in one way or another, the journalist had to respond.\"
On this week\'s INFocus we interview Italian journalists, University and independent researchers, publishers and politicians to shed light on this issue.
More...
Description:
Recent elections outcome have proven Italy to be an anomalous country. One of its most dangerous anomalies concerns newspaper ownership. Business, economic and political interests within the press favor censorship.
Conflict of interest concerns all major Italian media groups and news organizations, such as RCS, L\'Espresso editorial group, Fininvest, Caltagirone editor and many others.
The type of political and business control concerning the press is even more dangerous. Italian newspapers are affected by an astonishing ethical crisis that is far from being solved.
El Pais journalist Juan Arias once said that \"the intertwining between politics and journalism is one of the cancers of Italian journalism.\"
He added that in Italy, journalism is completely tied to power: \"every journalist had been accepted because of a politician\'s recommendation and to that politician, in one way or another, the journalist had to respond.\"
On this week\'s INFocus we interview Italian journalists, University and independent researchers, publishers and politicians to shed light on this issue.
4:03
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12:17
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Cooking Recipe - Delicious Whole Lentil Curry! English
A delicious curry with whole lentils in a delicious curry infused with yummy Indian spices!
Ing:
2 cups Yellow Split Lentils soaked overnight
5 cups boiling Water
1 Cinnamon stick
7 to 8...
A delicious curry with whole lentils in a delicious curry infused with yummy Indian spices!
Ing:
2 cups Yellow Split Lentils soaked overnight
5 cups boiling Water
1 Cinnamon stick
7 to 8 Cloves
Boil these four ing until the lentils are tender but not mushy!
Ing needed to be pureed
1/2 of a large Onion
2 Tomatoes
puree these ingredients and keep it aside for later use
Wagaar/Making the curry
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
4 to 5 Curry Leaves (tear the pieces)
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp Mango Powder
turn off when the spices are done and keep it aside
Tomato Paste (optional) only needed to increase the reddishness of the curry
Salt to taste
fresh Coriander chopped for garnishing
Method:
Once the lentils are cooked, make sure you remove the cloves and cinnamon stick, turn your stove on and in a sauce pan add 1 tsp of olive oil and add the onion and tomato puree as well as the curry mix we had made and let cook until you think the raw flavor is gone, I added 2 table spoons of tomato paste because I didn\\\'t like the color, but this step is completely optional. Stir all the ingredients really well, add salt and do a taste test, if the taste is right for you than go ahead and add the boiled lentils, making sure you stir it gently until all the ingredients have incorporated well. This can be served with flat bread (rotis) or rice as well as puris.
I am including two links one for the rice and one for puri
Enjoy!
More...
Description:
A delicious curry with whole lentils in a delicious curry infused with yummy Indian spices!
Ing:
2 cups Yellow Split Lentils soaked overnight
5 cups boiling Water
1 Cinnamon stick
7 to 8 Cloves
Boil these four ing until the lentils are tender but not mushy!
Ing needed to be pureed
1/2 of a large Onion
2 Tomatoes
puree these ingredients and keep it aside for later use
Wagaar/Making the curry
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
4 to 5 Curry Leaves (tear the pieces)
1/2 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp Mango Powder
turn off when the spices are done and keep it aside
Tomato Paste (optional) only needed to increase the reddishness of the curry
Salt to taste
fresh Coriander chopped for garnishing
Method:
Once the lentils are cooked, make sure you remove the cloves and cinnamon stick, turn your stove on and in a sauce pan add 1 tsp of olive oil and add the onion and tomato puree as well as the curry mix we had made and let cook until you think the raw flavor is gone, I added 2 table spoons of tomato paste because I didn\\\'t like the color, but this step is completely optional. Stir all the ingredients really well, add salt and do a taste test, if the taste is right for you than go ahead and add the boiled lentils, making sure you stir it gently until all the ingredients have incorporated well. This can be served with flat bread (rotis) or rice as well as puris.
I am including two links one for the rice and one for puri
Enjoy!
24:54
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[25 June 13] Role of Hezbollah in Qusayr - English
In his latest speech, Hezbollah\\\\\\\'s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah explained that one major factor behind the movement\\\\\\\'s fighting in Qusayr was to defend Lebanon against extremist...
In his latest speech, Hezbollah\\\\\\\'s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah explained that one major factor behind the movement\\\\\\\'s fighting in Qusayr was to defend Lebanon against extremist Al-Qaeda type groups.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that Takfiri groups like Al-Nusra pose a grave danger to Lebanon and all the Lebanese, whether they are Sunni, Shiaa or Christian. He added that such groups had threatened to attack Lebanon once they topple the government in Damascus.
These groups have been responsible for various attacks in Lebanon, some of which occurred before the fight in Qusayr in Syria near the Lebanese border.
More...
Description:
In his latest speech, Hezbollah\\\\\\\'s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah explained that one major factor behind the movement\\\\\\\'s fighting in Qusayr was to defend Lebanon against extremist Al-Qaeda type groups.
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that Takfiri groups like Al-Nusra pose a grave danger to Lebanon and all the Lebanese, whether they are Sunni, Shiaa or Christian. He added that such groups had threatened to attack Lebanon once they topple the government in Damascus.
These groups have been responsible for various attacks in Lebanon, some of which occurred before the fight in Qusayr in Syria near the Lebanese border.
2:37
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[06 July 13] Egypt army increases the destruction of Gaza tunnels - English
Egyptian army has increased its crackdown on tunnels between Gaza and Egypt following the toppling of President Mohammed Morsi. These days, you can see Egyptian bulldozers destroying tunnels along...
Egyptian army has increased its crackdown on tunnels between Gaza and Egypt following the toppling of President Mohammed Morsi. These days, you can see Egyptian bulldozers destroying tunnels along the border with Gaza more than any time in the past. Egyptian army has also deployed tanks which have pointed their guns towards Gaza.
The once bustling tunnels area nestled between the southern town of Rafah and the Sinai Peninsula looks more like a ghost town. There\'s no more transfer of goods or other vital commodities via the underground lifeline for the blockaded coastal enclave.
More...
Description:
Egyptian army has increased its crackdown on tunnels between Gaza and Egypt following the toppling of President Mohammed Morsi. These days, you can see Egyptian bulldozers destroying tunnels along the border with Gaza more than any time in the past. Egyptian army has also deployed tanks which have pointed their guns towards Gaza.
The once bustling tunnels area nestled between the southern town of Rafah and the Sinai Peninsula looks more like a ghost town. There\'s no more transfer of goods or other vital commodities via the underground lifeline for the blockaded coastal enclave.
24:31
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[09 July 13] Debate: Egypt at a crossroads - English
Egypt\\\'s interim president, Adly Mansour, has issued a decree giving himself power to make laws after consulting with the new government.
The decree said that a constitutional assembly would...
Egypt\\\'s interim president, Adly Mansour, has issued a decree giving himself power to make laws after consulting with the new government.
The decree said that a constitutional assembly would be formed in two weeks, and a constitutional referendum would be held within four-and-a-half months.
Parliamentary elections would be held within 15 days of the constitution\\\'s approval by a referendum. Those elections must be held \\\"over a period of no more than two months.\\\" New presidential elections would be called once the new legislative chamber is in place, the decree said.
Since last week, Egypt has been the scene of rival rallies and clashes between thousands of supporters and opponents of the ousted president.
Morsi is reportedly being held \\\"preventively\\\" by the military. Senior army officials say he might face formal charges over accusations made by his opponents.
In this edition of the show we ask; is a peaceful transition of power possible or will the overthrow of the country\\\'s first democratically elected leader drag the country, which is already polarized and divided, to the brink of civil war?
More...
Description:
Egypt\\\'s interim president, Adly Mansour, has issued a decree giving himself power to make laws after consulting with the new government.
The decree said that a constitutional assembly would be formed in two weeks, and a constitutional referendum would be held within four-and-a-half months.
Parliamentary elections would be held within 15 days of the constitution\\\'s approval by a referendum. Those elections must be held \\\"over a period of no more than two months.\\\" New presidential elections would be called once the new legislative chamber is in place, the decree said.
Since last week, Egypt has been the scene of rival rallies and clashes between thousands of supporters and opponents of the ousted president.
Morsi is reportedly being held \\\"preventively\\\" by the military. Senior army officials say he might face formal charges over accusations made by his opponents.
In this edition of the show we ask; is a peaceful transition of power possible or will the overthrow of the country\\\'s first democratically elected leader drag the country, which is already polarized and divided, to the brink of civil war?
2:04
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[18 July 13] Panama seizes North Korean ship carrying weapons - English
A week from today there will be massive celebrations in the Democratic People\'s Republic of Korea to mark the 60th anniversary of a cease-fire tat halted the Korean War. Some three million Koreans...
A week from today there will be massive celebrations in the Democratic People\'s Republic of Korea to mark the 60th anniversary of a cease-fire tat halted the Korean War. Some three million Koreans were killed in the conflict, mainly as a result of the US bombing campaign. However, as North Korea prepares for a celebration of peace, tension is mounting once again.
On July 12th, the Chong Chun Gang, a Korean vessel heading from Cuba to the DPRK was seized by Panamanian authorities. The vessel was searched and on July 16th the Panamanians declared that the ship contained \"undeclared military cargo.\" United Nations sanctions prohibit the shipping of arms to North Korea.
More...
Description:
A week from today there will be massive celebrations in the Democratic People\'s Republic of Korea to mark the 60th anniversary of a cease-fire tat halted the Korean War. Some three million Koreans were killed in the conflict, mainly as a result of the US bombing campaign. However, as North Korea prepares for a celebration of peace, tension is mounting once again.
On July 12th, the Chong Chun Gang, a Korean vessel heading from Cuba to the DPRK was seized by Panamanian authorities. The vessel was searched and on July 16th the Panamanians declared that the ship contained \"undeclared military cargo.\" United Nations sanctions prohibit the shipping of arms to North Korea.
2:00
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[19 July 13] Houthis rally in Yemen to demand justice - English
Houthis in Yemen have once again taken to the streets of the capital, Sana\'a, to demand justice for those members of their community who were killed by regime forces last month, Press TV reports....
Houthis in Yemen have once again taken to the streets of the capital, Sana\'a, to demand justice for those members of their community who were killed by regime forces last month, Press TV reports.
Chanting anti-government slogans, the demonstrators called on Friday for the downfall of the regime and an end to US intervention in their country.
They said the interference of Washington in domestic issues of Yemen has robbed the nation of its sovereignty and a government that represents the people\'s demands.
More...
Description:
Houthis in Yemen have once again taken to the streets of the capital, Sana\'a, to demand justice for those members of their community who were killed by regime forces last month, Press TV reports.
Chanting anti-government slogans, the demonstrators called on Friday for the downfall of the regime and an end to US intervention in their country.
They said the interference of Washington in domestic issues of Yemen has robbed the nation of its sovereignty and a government that represents the people\'s demands.
21:14
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[21 July 13] Kashmir conflict - English
Kashmir, an area caught in between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both countries.
It has once again witnessed violence as protesters were demonstrating against what they say was a...
Kashmir, an area caught in between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both countries.
It has once again witnessed violence as protesters were demonstrating against what they say was a desecration of the Holy Quran by Indian troops.
More...
Description:
Kashmir, an area caught in between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both countries.
It has once again witnessed violence as protesters were demonstrating against what they say was a desecration of the Holy Quran by Indian troops.
26:34
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[24 July 13] Ramadan and Quran exhibition in Iran - English
Over one billion Muslims around the world are now fasting in the month of Ramadan. As it is called the month of fasting, Muslims are obliged to refrain from having any kind of food and drinks, from...
Over one billion Muslims around the world are now fasting in the month of Ramadan. As it is called the month of fasting, Muslims are obliged to refrain from having any kind of food and drinks, from dawn until dusk. They should also abstain from any wrongdoings.
Not only is Ramadan the month of fasting but it is also the month in which the whole Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad. Therefore, during this month, Muslims read Quran more, and try to recite the entire Quran once or twice.
Tens of Quran exhibitions are also held in different cities across the country. The capital hosts 21st International Holy Quran Exhibition in its Grand Prayer Grounds.
Exquisite Quranic works and products are being showcased; and different expert forums are being held to illustrate the role of the Holy Quran in building an Islamic lifestyle.
In this edition of the show, we will take a closer look at the Iranians\\\' lives In Ramadan and the 21st Quran expo being held in Tehran.
More...
Description:
Over one billion Muslims around the world are now fasting in the month of Ramadan. As it is called the month of fasting, Muslims are obliged to refrain from having any kind of food and drinks, from dawn until dusk. They should also abstain from any wrongdoings.
Not only is Ramadan the month of fasting but it is also the month in which the whole Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad. Therefore, during this month, Muslims read Quran more, and try to recite the entire Quran once or twice.
Tens of Quran exhibitions are also held in different cities across the country. The capital hosts 21st International Holy Quran Exhibition in its Grand Prayer Grounds.
Exquisite Quranic works and products are being showcased; and different expert forums are being held to illustrate the role of the Holy Quran in building an Islamic lifestyle.
In this edition of the show, we will take a closer look at the Iranians\\\' lives In Ramadan and the 21st Quran expo being held in Tehran.
2:23
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[24 July 13] israel already involved in unprovoked attacks on Syria: Scott Rickard - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Scott Rickard, former American intelligence linguist, about Israel once again threatening the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad with possible...
Press TV has conducted an interview with Scott Rickard, former American intelligence linguist, about Israel once again threatening the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad with possible attacks.
More...
Description:
Press TV has conducted an interview with Scott Rickard, former American intelligence linguist, about Israel once again threatening the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad with possible attacks.
4:26
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[24 July 13] Failed policies, destabilizing israel: E. Michael Jones - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with E. Michael Jones, editor of Culture Wars Online Magazine, about Israel once again threatening the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of possible...
Press TV has conducted an interview with E. Michael Jones, editor of Culture Wars Online Magazine, about Israel once again threatening the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of possible strikes.
More...
Description:
Press TV has conducted an interview with E. Michael Jones, editor of Culture Wars Online Magazine, about Israel once again threatening the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of possible strikes.
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Did Obama Lie about FATWA?? - Nuke Free World By Rehbar - English & Persian
DID OBAMA LIE ?????
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the...
DID OBAMA LIE ?????
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
Reading Obama’s Iran speech
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:10PM GMT
2
Phyllis Bennis, The Nation
Related Interviews:
‘Rouhani’s remarks in US, conciliatory’
\\\\\\\'Rouhani speech, perfectly appropriate\\\\\\\'
Related Viewpoints:
Ziocons fume over Rouhani UN speech
All of a sudden we’re talking to Iran. Now, granted, that shouldn’t be such an astonishing bombshell. But given the reality of the last several decades, it pretty much is. And that’s all good. It’s been too long coming, it’s still too hesitant, there’s still too much hinting about military force behind it… but we’re talking. Foreign minister to foreign minister, Kerry to Zarif, it’s all a good sign.
There were lots of problem areas in the speech-President Obama was right when he said that US policy in the Middle East would lead to charges of “hypocrisy and inconsistency.” US policy-its protection of Israeli violations of international law, its privileging of petro-monarchies over human rights, its coddling of military dictators-remains rank with hypocrisy and inconsistency. And Obama’s speech reflected much of it.
But President Obama’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly reflected some of the extraordinary shifts in global-especially Middle East and most especially Syria-related-politics that have taken shape in the last six or eight weeks. And on Iran, that was good news. Yes the president trotted out his familiar litany that “we are determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.” But this time, there was no “all options on the table” threat. He added explicitly that “we are not seeking regime change and we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy.” The reference to Iran’s right to nuclear energy represented a major shift away from the longstanding claim among many US hawks and the Israeli government that Iran must give up all nuclear enrichment.
Respecting Iran’s right to “access” nuclear energy is still a bit of a dodge, of course-Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes not just access but “the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination.” Iran is a longstanding signatory to the NPT, and is entitled to all those rights. Obama referred only that “we insist that the Iranian government meet its responsibilities” under the NPT, while saying nothing about Iran’s rights under the treaty. But the high visibility US recognition of any Iranian right to nuclear power-in the context of a new willingness to open talks-is still enormously important.
It was also important that President Obama spoke of Iran with respect, acknowledging Iranian interests and opinions as legitimate and parallel to Washington’s. He recognized that Iranian mistrust of the United States has “deep roots,” referencing (however carefully) the “history of US interference in their affairs and of America’s role in overthrowing an Iranian government during the Cold War.” In fact, his identification of the 1953 US-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadegh as a product of the Cold War may have been part of an effort to distance himself and his administration from those actions. (It’s a bit disingenuous, of course. The primary rationale for the coup was far more a response to Mossadegh’s nationalization of Iran’s oil than to his ties to the Soviet Union.)
Obama also paid new attention to longstanding Iranian positions. He noted that “the Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and President Rouhani has just recently reiterated that the Islamic Republic will never develop a nuclear weapon.” Now anyone following the Iran nuclear issue knows that the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated at least as far back as 2003 that nuclear weapons are a violation of Islamic law and Iran would never build or use one, and the fatwa, or legal opinion, was issued at least as far back as 2005. This isn’t new. But for President Obama to mention those judgments in the context of “the basis for a meaningful agreement” is indeed new.
Mainstream US press and officials have long derided those statements, claiming that fatwas are not binding, that 700-year-old religious laws can’t have a position on nuclear weapons, etc. But in so doing they ignore the real significance-that President Rouhani, the Supreme Leader and the rest of Iran’s government have to answer to their own population too. After years of repeating that nuclear weapons would be un-Islamic, would violate a fatwa, etc., it would not be so easy for Iran’s leaders to win popular support for a decision to embrace the bomb.
There is a long way to go in challenging aspects of President Obama’s speech at the United Nations-his embrace of American exceptionalism and his recommitment to a failed approach to Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, his view that war and violence can only be answered by military force or nothing, and more. He didn’t explicitly state a willingness to accept Iran’s participation in international talks on Syria. There is a serious danger that any move towards rapprochement with Iran would be matched with moves to pacify Israeli demands-almost certainly at the expense of Palestinian rights.
But in the broader scenario of US-Iran relations, this is a moment to move forward, to welcome the new approach in Washington now answering the new approach of Tehran.
More flexibility will be required than the United States is usually known for. The usual opponents-in Congress, in Israel and the pro-Israel lobbies-are already on the move, challenging the new opening. But these last weeks showed how a quickly organized demonstration of widespread public opinion, demanding negotiations instead of war, can win. We were able to build a movement fast, agile and powerful enough to reverse an imminent military attack on Syria and instead force a move towards diplomatic solutions to end the war. This time around, the demand to deepen, consolidate and not abandon diplomatic possibilities is on our agenda-and perhaps once again we can
More...
Description:
DID OBAMA LIE ?????
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
Reading Obama’s Iran speech
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:10PM GMT
2
Phyllis Bennis, The Nation
Related Interviews:
‘Rouhani’s remarks in US, conciliatory’
\\\\\\\'Rouhani speech, perfectly appropriate\\\\\\\'
Related Viewpoints:
Ziocons fume over Rouhani UN speech
All of a sudden we’re talking to Iran. Now, granted, that shouldn’t be such an astonishing bombshell. But given the reality of the last several decades, it pretty much is. And that’s all good. It’s been too long coming, it’s still too hesitant, there’s still too much hinting about military force behind it… but we’re talking. Foreign minister to foreign minister, Kerry to Zarif, it’s all a good sign.
There were lots of problem areas in the speech-President Obama was right when he said that US policy in the Middle East would lead to charges of “hypocrisy and inconsistency.” US policy-its protection of Israeli violations of international law, its privileging of petro-monarchies over human rights, its coddling of military dictators-remains rank with hypocrisy and inconsistency. And Obama’s speech reflected much of it.
But President Obama’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly reflected some of the extraordinary shifts in global-especially Middle East and most especially Syria-related-politics that have taken shape in the last six or eight weeks. And on Iran, that was good news. Yes the president trotted out his familiar litany that “we are determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.” But this time, there was no “all options on the table” threat. He added explicitly that “we are not seeking regime change and we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy.” The reference to Iran’s right to nuclear energy represented a major shift away from the longstanding claim among many US hawks and the Israeli government that Iran must give up all nuclear enrichment.
Respecting Iran’s right to “access” nuclear energy is still a bit of a dodge, of course-Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes not just access but “the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination.” Iran is a longstanding signatory to the NPT, and is entitled to all those rights. Obama referred only that “we insist that the Iranian government meet its responsibilities” under the NPT, while saying nothing about Iran’s rights under the treaty. But the high visibility US recognition of any Iranian right to nuclear power-in the context of a new willingness to open talks-is still enormously important.
It was also important that President Obama spoke of Iran with respect, acknowledging Iranian interests and opinions as legitimate and parallel to Washington’s. He recognized that Iranian mistrust of the United States has “deep roots,” referencing (however carefully) the “history of US interference in their affairs and of America’s role in overthrowing an Iranian government during the Cold War.” In fact, his identification of the 1953 US-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadegh as a product of the Cold War may have been part of an effort to distance himself and his administration from those actions. (It’s a bit disingenuous, of course. The primary rationale for the coup was far more a response to Mossadegh’s nationalization of Iran’s oil than to his ties to the Soviet Union.)
Obama also paid new attention to longstanding Iranian positions. He noted that “the Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and President Rouhani has just recently reiterated that the Islamic Republic will never develop a nuclear weapon.” Now anyone following the Iran nuclear issue knows that the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated at least as far back as 2003 that nuclear weapons are a violation of Islamic law and Iran would never build or use one, and the fatwa, or legal opinion, was issued at least as far back as 2005. This isn’t new. But for President Obama to mention those judgments in the context of “the basis for a meaningful agreement” is indeed new.
Mainstream US press and officials have long derided those statements, claiming that fatwas are not binding, that 700-year-old religious laws can’t have a position on nuclear weapons, etc. But in so doing they ignore the real significance-that President Rouhani, the Supreme Leader and the rest of Iran’s government have to answer to their own population too. After years of repeating that nuclear weapons would be un-Islamic, would violate a fatwa, etc., it would not be so easy for Iran’s leaders to win popular support for a decision to embrace the bomb.
There is a long way to go in challenging aspects of President Obama’s speech at the United Nations-his embrace of American exceptionalism and his recommitment to a failed approach to Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, his view that war and violence can only be answered by military force or nothing, and more. He didn’t explicitly state a willingness to accept Iran’s participation in international talks on Syria. There is a serious danger that any move towards rapprochement with Iran would be matched with moves to pacify Israeli demands-almost certainly at the expense of Palestinian rights.
But in the broader scenario of US-Iran relations, this is a moment to move forward, to welcome the new approach in Washington now answering the new approach of Tehran.
More flexibility will be required than the United States is usually known for. The usual opponents-in Congress, in Israel and the pro-Israel lobbies-are already on the move, challenging the new opening. But these last weeks showed how a quickly organized demonstration of widespread public opinion, demanding negotiations instead of war, can win. We were able to build a movement fast, agile and powerful enough to reverse an imminent military attack on Syria and instead force a move towards diplomatic solutions to end the war. This time around, the demand to deepen, consolidate and not abandon diplomatic possibilities is on our agenda-and perhaps once again we can
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