Iran President Says Light Surrounded Him During UN Speech

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11/30/05

Iran's President Says Light Surrounded Him During UN Speech

(TRANSCRIBED UN SPEECH FOLLOWS ARTICLE BELOW)

By Golnaz Esfandiari

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad says that when he delivered his

speech at the UN General Assembly in September, he felt there was a

light around him and that the attention of the world leaders in the

audience was unblinkingly focused upon him. The claim has caused a

stir in Iran, as a transcript and video recording of Ahmadinejad's

comments have been published on an Iranian website, baztab.com. There

are also reports that a CD showing Ahmadinejad making the comments

also has been widely distributed in Iran. Is the Iranian president

claiming to be divinely inspired?

 

Prague, 29 November 2005 (RFE/RL) -- According the report by

baztab.com, President Ahmadinejad made the comments in a meeting with

one of Iran's leading clerics, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli.

 

Ahmadinejad said that someone present at the UN told him that a light

surrounded him while he was delivering his speech to the General

Assembly. The Iranian president added that he also sensed it.

 

"He said when you began with the words 'in the name of God,' I saw

that you became surrounded by a light until the end [of the speech],"

Ahmadinejad appears to say in the video. "I felt it myself, too. I

felt that all of a sudden the atmosphere changed there, and for 27-28

minutes all the leaders did not blink."

 

Ahmadinejad adds that he is not exaggerating.

 

"I am not exaggerating when I say they did not blink; it's not an

exaggeration, because I was looking," he says. "They were astonished

as if a hand held them there and made them sit. It had opened their

eyes and ears for the message of the Islamic Republic."

 

Baztab.com reported that during the meeting, Ayatollah Amoli said

that "carrying out promises and restraining from fooling people" is

the most important duty, presumably of officials . However, it is

unclear whether that comment is made in reaction to the claim made by

Ahmadinejad.

 

Critics And Skeptics

 

Iranian legislator Akbar Alami has questioned Ahmadinejad's apparent

claims, saying that even Islam's holiest figures have never made such

claims.

 

Alami told ILNA news agency that it is hard to imagine that someone

who is delivering a speech can at the same time focus his attention

on the eyelashes of all the people sitting at a distance from him and

categorically tell a leading Qom cleric that they did not blink.

 

Alami said he hopes the film of Ahmadinejad's comments has not been

distributed by people close to the president to make criticizing

him "taboo among ordinary people."

 

However, FardaNews.com, a conservative website, reported that the

meeting between Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Javadi Amoli was private.

[Editor's note: FardaNews.com has no relation to RFE/RL's Radio

Farda.] The website accused unspecified Ahmadinejad opponents of

distributing the CD of the meeting to insult him.

 

Hossein Bastani, an Iranian journalist based in France, told RFE/RL

that Ahmadinejad's comments can be interpreted in two ways.

 

"One analysis is that this government believes that it came to power

with the votes of the so-called lowest class of the Iranian society

and these are classes that believe more in such supernatural tales,"

Bastani said. "Therefore, this government tries, by propagating such

rumors, to gain a dogmatic, charismatic, and holy status among those

whom they think support them. The second view is that despite the

fact that they are trying to fool people, maybe they also believe in

these things that are being repeatedly published about them and said

by them. This is more dangerous."

 

Growing Trend

 

Since the presidential elections in Iran, many bizarre stories and

rumors have circulated about Ahmadinejad. Many of them are related to

his devotion to the 12th Imam, also known as Imam Mahdi, who

according to Muslims has disappeared and will return at the end of

time to lead an era of Islamic justice.

 

During his September speech at the UN, Ahmadinejad called for the

reappearance of the 12th Imam.

 

In mid-November, during a speech to Friday prayers leaders from

across Iran, Ahmadinejad said that the main mission of the revolution

is to pave the way for the reappearance of the 12th Imam.

 

In recent weeks, the president's aides have denied a rumor that he

ordered his cabinet to write a pact of loyalty with the 12th Imam and

throw it down a well near the holy city of Qom, where some believe

the Imam is hiding.

 

Ahmadinejad's supporters said such rumors are being circulated about

the president by opponents in efforts to defame him.

 

Tacit Approval?

 

But journalist Bastani said that many of the reported stories are

based on comments made by Ahmadinejad and his cabinet members.

 

"Inside Iran, no one in a news [organization] takes the risk of

publishing incorrect information about the president, who also

controls the Information Ministry, [so] spreading lies about him has

serious consequences," Bastani said. "In recent weeks and months,

there has been much news similar to the meeting between Ahmadinejad

and Ayatollah Amoli. These [reports] include the allocation in at

least two cases of heavy budgets for the Jamkaran mosque [at the well

where some believe that Imam Mahdi is hiding] or comments by the

president that have been quoted by the Iranian media in which he had

said in an official meeting that the Hidden Imam will appear in two

years."

 

There has been no reaction from President Ahmadinejad to the

distribution and publication of his claim that a light surrounded him

while he was addressing world leaders at the UN.

 

Mohammad Ali Abtahi, an adviser to former Iranian President Mohammad

Khatami, has warned against the misuse of religious sanctities and

written on his website that it is natural that, at a time when the

world is expecting a plan to end the deadlock over Iran's nuclear

issue, attention is paid to the comments by the country's president.

 

Ahmadinejad has been criticized inside the country for his seeming

lack of tact and his confrontational style on the international

stage. His comments about his mystical experience at the UN could

well lead to further criticism.

 

http://www.payvand.com/news/05/nov/1279.html

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Copyright © 2005 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W.

Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

 

© Copyright 2005 NetNative

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Iran's President Ahmadinejad's speech at UN

 

The following is the full text of his speech before the Sixtieth

Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 09/17/05

 

09/19/05 "ICH" -- --

 

"In the Name of the God of Mercy, Compassion, Peace, Freedom and

Justice

 

"Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, "Today we have

gathered here to exchange views about the world, its future and our

common responsibilities towards it. It is evident that the future of

the world is intertwined with its current state and the prevailing

trends, which exhibit signs of hope and despair.

 

"On the one hand certain hopes and opportunities exist, and this

August Assembly is convened on such hopes. Today human thought

reflects outstanding commonalities which provide appropriate grounds

to build upon.

 

With the passing of the era of agnostic philosophies, today humanity

is once again joined in celebrating monotheism and belief in the

Creator as the originator of existence. This is the common thread

which binds us all.

 

"Faith will prove to be the solution to many of today's problems. The

Truth will shine the light of faith and ethics on the life of human

beings and prevent them from aggression, coercion and injustice and

will guide them towards care and compassion for fellow beings.

 

"Another hope is the common global appreciation of the sources of

knowledge. Although reason, experience and science are among valuable

sources of knowledge, the darkness of the Middle Ages deprived major

portions of the Western world of appreciating. This reactionary

tendency deprived many of access to various scientific findings and

knowledge and led to the exclusion of other sources of knowledge

namely God and knowledge based on revelation from the life of human

beings in the West; Divine knowledge that was carried and

disseminated by such prophets as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and

Mohammad (peace be upon them).

 

"Today, agnostic thinking is on the decline and presently humanity is

equally enamored with religion knowledge and spirituality. This is an

auspicious beginning. Divine prophets teach us about proper regard

for the exalted state of human beings on earth.

 

"The human being is blessed with dignity, most importantly manifested

in being the viceroy of the Almighty on earth. The Almighty placed

humans on earth to develop it, institutionalize justice, overcome

their egoistic tendencies and praise no lord but the Almighty.

 

"Faith and good deeds can bring deliverance and the good life even in

this world. Attaining this depends on human will, that is the will of

each and every one of us. We must heed the call of our common

primordial nature and achieve the realization of this good life.

 

"On the other hand, the prevalence of military domination, increasing

poverty, the growing gap between rich and poor countries, violence as

a means to solve crises, spread of terrorism, specially state

terrorism, existence and proliferation of weapons of mass

destruction, the pervasive lack of honesty in interstate relations,

and disregard for the equal rights of peoples and nations in

international relations constitute some of the challenges and threats.

 

"Although these challenges are very real, we believe we are not

predestined to experience them. Our common will not only can change

this course but in fact can lead us to a life filled with hope and

prosperity. Divine revelation teaches us that "The Almighty changes

the fate of no people unless they themselves show a will for change"

(Holy Quran, 13:11).

 

"How can we influence the future of the world? When and how will

peace, tranquility and well-being for all come about? These are the

fundamental questions before us.

 

"We believe that a sustainable order, nurturing and flourishing peace

and tranquility, can only be realized on the two pillars of justice

and spirituality. The more human society departs from justice and

spirituality, the greater insecurity it will face, so much so that a

relatively small crisis, such as a natural disaster, leads to various

abnormalities and inhuman behavior.

 

"Unfortunately, the world is rife with discrimination and poverty.

Discrimination produces hatred, war and terrorism. They all share the

common root of lack of spirituality coupled with injustice. Justice

is about equal rights, the correct distribution of resources in the

territories of different states, the equality of all before the law

and respect for international agreements.

 

"Justice recognizes the right of every one to tranquility, peace and

a dignified life. Justice rejects intimidation and double standards.

As the eminent daughter of the Prophet of Islam has said, "justice

brings tranquility and harmony to our hearts."

 

"Today, the world is longing for the establishment of such justice.

If humanity heeds the call of its primordial nature with firm

resolve, justice will emerge. This is what the Almighty has promised

and all people of good will from all religions are waiting for. If

the prevailing discourse of global relations becomes one of justice

and spirituality, then durable peace will be guaranteed.

 

"Conversely, if international relations are defined without justice

and spirituality and void of moral considerations, then the

mechanisms for promoting confidence and peace will remain

insufficient and ineffective.

 

"If some, relying on their superior military and economic might,

attempt to expand their rights and privileges, they will be

performing a great disservice to the cause of peace and in fact will

fuel the arms race and spread insecurity, fear and deception. If

global trends continue to serve the interests of small influential

groups, even the interests of the citizens of powerful countries will

be jeopardized, as was seen in the recent crises and the even natural

disaster such as the recent tragic hurricane.

 

"Today, my nation calls on other nations and governments to "move

forward to a durable tranquility and peace based on justice and

spirituality."

 

"Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is born out of a movement, based on the

pure primordial nature of a people who rose up to regain their

dignity esteem and human rights. The Islamic Revolution toppled a

regime, which had been put in place through a coup, and supported by

those who claim to be advocates of democracy and human rights,

thwarted the aspirations of the nation for development and progress

for 25 years through intimidation and torture of the populace and

submission and subservience to outsiders.

 

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is the manifestation of true democracy

in the region. The discourse of the Iranian nation is focused on

respect for the rights of human beings and a quest for tranquillity,

peace, justice and development for all through monotheism.

 

"For 8 years, Saddam's regime imposed a massive war of aggression and

occupation on my people. It employed the most heinous weapons of mass

destruction, including chemical weapons against Iranians and Iraqis

alike.

 

Who, in fact, armed Saddam with these weapons? What was the reaction

of those who now claim to fight against WMDs regarding the use of

chemical weapons back then? The world is witness to the fact that the

Islamic Republic of Iran, because of its humanitarian principles,

even during the most testing of times and when it was sustaining the

highest number of casualties, never allowed itself to use such

weapons.

 

"Thousands of nuclear warheads that are stockpiled in various

locations coupled with programs to further develop these inhuman

weapons have created a new atmosphere of repression and the rule of

the machines of war, threatening the international community and even

the citizens of the countries that possess them.

 

"Ironically, those who have actually used nuclear weapons, continue

to produce, stockpile and extensively test such weapons, have used

depleted uranium bombs and bullets against tens and perhaps hundreds

of thousands of Iraqis, Kuwaitis, and even their own soldiers and

those of their allies, afflicting them with incurable diseases,

blatantly violate their obligations under the NPT, have refrained

from signing the CTBT and have armed the Zionist occupation regime

with WMDs, are not only refusing to remedy their past deeds, but in

clear breech of the NPT, are trying to prevent other countries from

acquiring the technology to produce peaceful nuclear energy.

 

"All these problems emanate from the fact that justice and

spirituality are missing in the way powerful governments conduct

their affairs with other nations.

 

"After September 11, a particular radical group was accused of

terrorist activities -- although it was never explained how such huge

intelligence gathering and security organizations failed to prevent

such an extensive and well planned operation.

 

"Why powers that, not so long ago, were supporting the activities of

such groups in Afghanistan and thus portraying themselves as

supporters of human rights and the Afghan people have over night

turned into their most fierce critic?

 

"Are we to believe that their benefactors, i.e. the very same

hegemonic powers have lost control? "If the answer is yes, would it

not be better for those powers to adopt an honest and transparent

approach to the international community, provide precise information

about the main elements and their arms and financial support system,

and accept responsibility for their inhuman actions against nations

and countries, and thereby assist peoples and nations to correctly,

wisely and sincerely fight the roots of terrorism.

 

"We must endeavor to achieve sustainable tranquility and peace based

on justice and spirituality.

 

"Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

"Terrorism and WMDs are two major threats before the international

community. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the main victims

of terrorism and chemical weapons, fully appreciates the difficulties

that lie ahead in the road to combat these menaces.

 

"Today, the most serious challenge is that the culprits are

arrogating to themselves the role of the prosecutor. Even more

dangerous is that certain parties relying on their power and wealth

try to impose a climate of intimidation and injustice over the world

make bullying, while through their huge media resources portray

themselves as defenders of freedom, democracy and human rights.

 

"People around the world are fully aware of what is happening in the

occupied Palestine. Women and children are being murdered and

adolescents taken prisoner. Houses are being demolished and farms

burnt down. Yet, when the people of Palestine resist these

conditions, they are accused of terrorism. At the same time, the

occupier, which does not abide by any principles and terror is part

of its pronounced and routine policy enjoys the support of the

previously mentioned governments. Let me be blunter. State terrorism

is being supported by those who claim to fight terrorism.

 

"How can one talk about human rights and at the same time blatantly

deny many the inalienable right to have access to science and

technology with applications in medicine, industry and energy and

through force and intimidation hinder their progress and

development? "Can nations be deprived of scientific and technological

progress through the threat of use of force and based on mere

allegations of possibility of military diversion?

 

We believe that all countries and nations are entitled to

technological and scientific advancement in all fields, particularly

the peaceful technology to produce nuclear fuel. Such access cannot

be restricted to a few, depriving most nations and by establishing

economic monopolies, use them as an instrument to expand their

domination.

 

"We have gathered here to defend human rights in accordance with

Charter of UN and prevent certain powers from claiming that "some

countries have more rights "or that" some countries do not have the

right to enjoy their legitimate rights". "We must not, at the

beginning of the 21st century, revert to the logic of the dark ages

and once again try to deny societies access to scientific and

technological advances.

 

"Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

"The UN must be the symbol of democracy and the equal rights of

nations. If we talk about the equal rights of nations in political

forums, we must talk of the same concept in this forum as well.

 

"Similarly, if we talk about the right of sovereignty, then all

nations must be allowed to exercise their rights on an equal footing

and in a democratic process.

 

"The UN can be the standard bearer of democracy in the world, when

it, itself, is a manifestation of democratic process. I reiterate

that durable tranquility and peace can only be built on justice and

spirituality.

 

"Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is a symbol of true democracy. All

officials including the Leader, President, members of the Islamic

Consultative Assembly, city and village councils are elected through

the vote of the citizens. The Islamic Republic of Iran has held 27

national elections in 27 years. This showcases a vibrant and dynamic

society in which people widely participate in the political life.

 

"Because of its key importance and influence in the important and

strategic Middle East region, the Islamic Republic of Iran is

committed to contribute actively to the promotion of peace and

stability in the region.

 

"Saddam, Taliban regimes were both the products of foreign powers.

The people of Afghanistan and Iraq know very well who supported these

two regimes.

 

"Today, to establish peace and security in the region, foreign

occupation forces must leave and completely hand over the political

and economic sovereignty of these two countries to their peoples.

 

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to provide full and

comprehensive support to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and their

elected governments, and will actively help them in the establishment

of order and security. My country will continue and expand its

sincere cooperation and interaction with them.

 

"In Palestine, a durable peace will be possible through justice, an

end to discrimination and the occupation of Palestinian land, the

return of all Palestinian refugees, and the establishment of a

democratic Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

 

"Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

"Today, more than ever, nations need constructive, positive and

honest cooperation and interaction in order to enjoy a dignified,

tranquil and peaceful life based on justice and spirituality. Let us

enter into a collective covenant to realize this legitimate

aspiration of our nations.

 

"Here, I would like to briefly talk about the approach and initiative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the nuclear issue. Nuclear weapons

and their proliferation, and attempts to impose an apartheid regime

on access to peaceful nuclear energy, are two major threats,

challenging international tranquility and peace.

 

"Keeping in mind that in past years no serious efforts complimented

by practical mechanisms -- have been made to move towards full

disarmament and more specifically implement the decisions and

outcomes of the NPT Review Conferences of 1995 and 2000, I suggest

that the General Assembly, as the most inclusive UN organ, mandate an

ad-hoc committee to compile and submit a comprehensive report on

possible practical mechanisms and strategies for complete disarmament.

 

"This Committee should also be asked to investigate as to how

contrary to the NPT -- material, technology and equipment for nuclear

weapons were transferred to the Zionist regime, and to propose

practical measures for the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free

zone in the Middle East.

 

"Some powerful states practice a discriminatory approach against

access of NPT members to material, equipment, and peaceful nuclear

technology, and by doing so, intend to impose a nuclear apartheid.

 

"We are concerned that once certain powerful states completely

control nuclear energy resources and technology, they will deny

access to and thus deepen the divide between powerful countries and

the rest of the international community. When that happens, we will

be divided into light and dark countries.

 

"Regrettably, in the past 30 years, no effective measure has been

implemented to facilitate the exercise of the legally recognized

right of NPT state-parties to have access to and use peaceful nuclear

energy in accordance with article IV. Therefore, the General Assembly

should ask the IAEA in accordance with article 2 of its Statute to

report on violations by specific countries that have hindered the

implementation of the above article and also produce practical

strategies for its renewed implementation.

 

"What needs our particular attention is the fact that peaceful use of

nuclear energy without possession of nuclear fuel cycle is an empty

proposition. Nuclear power plants can indeed lead to total dependence

of countries and peoples if they need to rely for their fuel on

coercive powers, who do not refrain from any measure in furtherance

of their interests.

 

No popularly elected and responsible government can consider such a

situation in the interest of its people. The history of dependence on

oil in oil rich countries under domination is an experiment that no

independent country is willing to repeat.

 

"Those hegemonic powers, who consider scientific and technological

progress of independent and free nations as a challenge to their

monopoly on these important instruments of power and who do not want

to see such achievements in other countries, have misrepresented

Iran's healthy and fully safeguarded technological endeavors in the

nuclear field as pursuit of nuclear weapons. This is nothing but a

propaganda ploy.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran is presenting in good faith its proposal

for constructive interaction and a just dialogue.

 

"However, if some try to impose their will on the Iranian people

through resort to a language of force and threat with Iran, we will

reconsider our entire approach to the nuclear issue.

 

"Allow me, as the elected President of the Iranian people, to outline

the other main elements of my country's initiative regarding the

nuclear issue:

 

"1. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its previously and

repeatedly declared position that in accordance with our religious

principles, pursuit of nuclear weapons is prohibited.

 

"2. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that it is necessary to

revitalize the NPT and create the above-mentioned ad-hoc committee so

that it can combat nuclear weapons and abolish the apartheid in

peaceful nuclear technology.

 

"3. Technically, the fuel cycle of the Islamic Republic of Iran is

not different from that of other countries which have peaceful

nuclear technology.

 

"Therefore, as a further confidence building measure and in order to

provide the greatest degree of transparency, the Islamic Republic of

Iran is prepared to engage in serious partnership with private and

public sectors of other countries in the implementation of uranium

enrichment program in Iran. This represents the most far reaching

step, outside all requirements of the NPT, being proposed by Iran as

a further confidence building measure.

 

"4. In keeping with Iran's inalienable right to have access to a

nuclear fuel cycle, continued interaction and technical and legal

cooperation with the IAEA will be the centerpiece of our nuclear

policy.

 

"Initiation and continuation of negotiations with other countries

will be carried out in the context of Iran's interaction with the

Agency.

 

"With this in mind, I have directed the relevant Iranian officials to

compile the legal and technical details of Iran's nuclear approach,

based on the following considerations:

 

"4.1. International precedence tells us that nuclear fuel-delivery

contracts are unreliable and no legally binding international

document or instrument exists to guarantee the delivery of nuclear

fuel.

 

"On many occasions such bilateral contracts stopped altogether for

political reasons. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in its

pursuit of peaceful nuclear technology, considers it within its

legitimate rights to receive objective guarantees for uranium

enrichment in the nuclear fuel cycle.

 

"4.2. In its negotiations with the EU3, Iran has tried in earnest to

prove the solid and rightful foundations of its nuclear activity in

the context of the NPT, and to establish mutual trust. The selection

of our negotiating partners and the continuation of negotiations with

the EU3 will be commensurate with the requirements of our cooperation

with the Agency regarding non-diversion of the process of uranium

enrichment to non-peaceful purposes in the framework of the

provisions of the NPT.

 

In this context, several proposals have been presented which can be

considered in the context of negotiations. The Islamic Republic of

Iran appreciates the positive contribution of South Africa and H.E.

President Mbeki personally in the resolution of the nuclear issue and

cognizant of South Africa's active role in the IAEA Board of

Governors would welcome its active participation in the negotiations.

 

"4.3. The discriminatory approaches regarding the NPT that focuses on

the obligations of state-parties and disregards their rights under

the Treaty should be discontinued.

 

"As the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I assure you that

my country will use everything in its power to contribute to global

tranquility and peace based on the two maxims of spirituality and

justice as well as the equal rights of all peoples and nations.

 

My country will interact and cooperate constructively with the

international community to face the challenges before us.

 

"Dear Friends and Colleagues,

"From the beginning of time, humanity has longed for the day when

justice, peace, equality and compassion envelop the world. All of us

can contribute to the establishment of such a world. When that day

comes, the ultimate promise of all Divine religions will be fulfilled

with the emergence of a perfect human being who is heir to all

prophets and pious men. He will lead the world to justice and

absolute peace.

 

"O mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last

repository, the promised one, that perfect and pure human being, the

one that will fill this world with justice and peace.

 

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10336.htm