Ahmadinejad Calls For An End To Intimidation

In a provocative speech delivered to the United Nations General-Assembly, President Mahmood Ahmadinejad of Iran called for an end to intimidation by western nations. He questioned how a small minority of countries had control over the economic policies of so many developing nations.

“I have talked about the two conflicting outlooks prevailing in our world; one that is based on the predominance of its materialistic interests through spreading inequality and oppression, poverty and deprivation, aggression, occupation and deception, and tends to bring the entire world under its control and impose its will on other nations. This outlook has produced nothing but frustration, disappointment and a dark future for the entire humanity.”

The other, he espoused, was in the belief and teachings of God.

Western powers, he cites, are “using the ugliest methods of intimidation and deceit under the mantle of freedom as a democratic practice, and approaches through which sometimes dictators are portrayed as democrats, lack legitimacy and must be totally rejected.”

Ahmadinejad argued in defense of Palestinians and said they had the right to arm themselves in self-defense. He also voiced strong support for Iraq’s right to self-governance. He emphasized reform and restructure of the United Nations as a central path to building partnerships globally.

Outside the UN, hundreds of anti-Ahmadinejad protesters voiced anger at his participation in the General-Assembly. Many still question his legitimacy as President of Iran.