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Ahmadinejad Speech Sparks Walkout At Racism Conference
Delegates from European nations have walked out of a UN conference on racism in protest at a speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad which criticised Israel.
Two protesters wearing coloured wigs also disrupted the beginning of Mr Ahmadinejad's speech, shouting "Racist, racist".
His speech coincides with Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Mr. Ahmadinejad began his remarks by saying the formation of the state of Israel left “an entire nation homeless under the pretext of Jewish suffering” in order “to establish a totally racist government in occupied Palestine.” In response, delegates from all 23 European Union nations stood up and filed out of the room.
The conference, the first United Nations conference in eight years to address the issue of racism, was already being boycotted by Israel, the United States and several important allies.
The boycott was prompted by the fear that the conference could be used as a platform for anti-Israel sentiment.
Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had said they would walk out of the "Durban II" meeting if it was used as a platform to attack Israel.
He told France Info radio earlier: "We will not tolerate any excesses, any provocation."
After Mr Ahmadinejad's speech, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon accused the Iranian president of using his speech to "accuse, divide, and even incite" - contrary to the aim of the conference.
The US and Israel both walked out of the last major UN racism conference in South Africa in 2001 after Arab states labelled Zionism as racist.
As this year's summit got under way, several US groups criticised the US and other nations for boycotting the conference.
groups like the Congressional Black Caucus, Human Rights Watch and the U.S. African Chamber of Commerce said the United States and other nations that opted not to attend made the wrong move. They said they regard the summit as a legitimate avenue for addressing racism globally and Israel in particular.
Human Rights Watch suggested that those boycotting the conference only helped destabilize it.
"The sad truth is that countries professing to want to avoid a reprise of the contentious 2001 racism conference are now the ones triggering the collapse of a global consensus on the fight against racism," Juliette de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said in a written statement.
She accused those countries of putting the "concerns of victims last," capitulating to "radical voices" rather than isolating them and playing "into the hands of those who want the conference to fail."
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 08:59 on April 20th, 2009
This just goes to demonstrate how inconsiderate the UN is. Why would they give Ahmadimejad a forum on the Holocaust Rememberance Day. Good for the members of the 23 European Union Nations for walking out.
at 09:06 on April 20th, 2009
Because its good for business. Whores for a buck. Switzerland and the dinner last night. Discussion was mainly on trade. Germany-Trade, France-Trade, I can go on and on. China, Russia..To hell with oppression when it means getting in on the oil and trade. We have reached the depths of hell and have made a lousy deal with the devil.
Unchecked they (Iranian Mullahs) will be the destroyer of life as we know it sooner then later. We are all living on borrowed time. This is deja-vu once again. Just as Germany pounced and Britain's Chamberlain contemplated his navel.
at 09:11 on April 20th, 2009
Well said tikun.
at 10:16 on April 20th, 2009
Oh so they're not as bad as each other? -its a mess, you won't see any light at the end of the tunnel for a long time yet. Maybe when we colonize the moon we can squabble over that too.
at 10:28 on April 20th, 2009
Not in my crater!
at 11:04 on April 20th, 2009
I.m trying to stay objective here. It.s the lies that the holocaust was fabricated that irritate me. I have been to a concentration camp and believe me it was very real. 61 years after the state of Israel was formed we should all face reality that it is there to stay and perhaps if both sides got over their differences we might see light at the end of the tunnel. Even Ireland sorted out it,s differences, at least for now. The Balkans with centuries of bottled up hatred is on the road to recovery. I think everyones attitude needs to change. This constant blame game coupled with lies is not going anywhere, not even if we populate the moon. There will still be human beings up there. Maybe they'll squabble over each other's crater. Sometimes I think animals have more sense.
at 10:48 on April 20th, 2009
Where's the shoes?
at 10:58 on April 20th, 2009
I would have gladly given them mine. Ah to be a student again and to have been there shouting at that clown in a clown costume, racist. Now that's theater.
car1 edb, "other" no one knows what the heck is going on regarding that situation. What the railway authority was thinking. However, to equate the two is a bit of an insult and a cheap shot.
at 11:06 on April 20th, 2009
tikun, so true, at least that case is going to a court. On the same link there is a story where 20 Arabs were reinstated. So the court system seems to work.
at 15:59 on April 20th, 2009
Look, Ahmadinejad is a holocaust denier and a racist, and that is not ok. But if you look at what he actually said, it's that Israel is a racist and oppressive state in respect to the palestinians; the UN Security council is not about equality because only certain countries have the veto; the victors of WWII set up laws that were oppressive for other peoples, ie the Palastinians; western governments say they fight racism but they support Israel's occupation of Palestine and the oppression and suffering that goes with it.
Now, regardless of whether you agree with those points, it isn't obvious to me that merely to criticise Israel is racist in itself. For sure his language is over the top (see following quote), but that seems a bit over the top as well. Quote from speech: “As was the case after World War II, armies occupied other territories and people were transferred from territories. In reality, under the pretext of compensating for the evil done in the name of xenophobia, they in fact set up the most violent xenophobes, in Palestine." Is that a racist statement no matter who makes it?
at 16:07 on April 20th, 2009
Lets sit down a have a chat with this guy... are you kidding me?
at 16:22 on April 20th, 2009
23 countries found his comments over the top and despicable. Other countries, such as Canada, the US, Germany, France and other chose to boycott the conference. That speaks for itself.
Your comments on security council vetoes are valid. This is what makes the UN ineffective. Whether it be the actions to be taken against North Korea or other world matters where Russia and China protect their interests, or vice versa with the United States, it always produces a compromise resolution.
Although not very diplomatic at the time, George Bush was right, when he called them a debating society.
at 18:47 on April 20th, 2009
I think it was good that UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon spook out in that fashion.
at 01:39 on April 21st, 2009
Read the full text of Ahmadinejad's speech. Decide for yourself
http://wakeupfromyourslumber.blogspot.com/2009/04/ahmadinejads-speech-at-un-durban-racism.html
at 05:40 on April 21st, 2009
"Mr. Chairman, honourable secretary general of the United Nations, honourable United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Ladies and gentleman:
We have gathered in the follow-up to the Durban conference against racism and racial discrimination to work out practical mechanisms for our holy and humanitarian campaigns.
Over the last centuries, humanity has gone through great sufferings and pains. In the Medieval Ages, thinkers and scientists were sentenced to death. It was then followed by a period of slavery and slave trade. Innocent people were taken captive in their millions and separated from their families and loved ones to be taken to Europe and America under the worst conditions. A dark period that also experienced occupation, lootings and massacres of innocent people.
Many years passed by before nations rose up and fought for their liberty and freedom and they paid a high price for it. They lost millions of lives to expel the occupiers and establish independent and national governments. However, it did not take long before power grabbers imposed two wars in Europe which also plagued a part of Asia and Africa. Those horrific wars claimed about a hundred million lives and left behind massive devastation. Had lessons been learnt from the occupations, horrors and crimes of those wars, there would have been a ray of hope for the future.
The victorious powers called themselves the conquerors of the world while ignoring or down treading upon rights of other nations by the imposition of oppressive laws and international arrangements.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us take a look at the UN Security Council which is one of the legacies of World War I and World War II. What was the logic behind their granting themselves the veto right? How can such logic comply with humanitarian or spiritual values? Would it not be inconformity with the recognized principles of justice, equality before the law, love and human dignity? Would it not be discrimination, injustice, violations of human rights or humiliation of the majority of nations and countries?
The council is the highest decision-making world body for safeguarding international peace and security. How can we expect the realization of justice and peace when discrimination is legalized and the origin of the law is dominated by coercion and force rather than by justice and the rights?
Coercion and arrogance is the origin of oppression and wars. Although today many proponents of racism condemn racial discrimination in their words and their slogans, a number of powerful countries have been authorized to decide for other nations based on their own interests and at their own discretion and they can easily violate all laws and humanitarian values as they have done so.
Following World War II, they resorted to military aggression to make an entire nation homeless under the pretext of Jewish suffering and they sent migrants from Europe, the United States and other parts of the world in order to establish a totally racist government in occupied Palestine. And, in fact, in compensation for the dire consequences of racism in Europe, they helped bring to power the most cruel and repressive racist regime in Palestine.
The Security Council helped stabilize the occupying regime and supported it in the past 60 years giving them a free hand to commit all sorts of atrocities. It is all the more regrettable that a number of Western governments and the United States have committed themselves to defending those racist perpetrators of genocide while the awakened-conscience and free-minded people of the world condemn aggression, brutalities and the bombardment of civilians in Gaza. The supporters of Israel have always been either supportive or silent against the crimes.
Dear friends, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. What are the root causes of the US attacks against Iraq or the invasion of Afghanistan?
Was the motive behind the invasion of Iraq anything other than the arrogance of the then US administration and the mounting pressures on the part of the possessors of wealth and power to expand their sphere of influence seeking the interests of giant arms manufacturing companies affecting a noble culture with thousands of years of historical background, eliminating the potential and practical threats of Muslim countries against the Zionist regime or to control and plunder the energy resources of the Iraqi people?
Why, indeed, almost a million people were killed and injured and a few more millions were displaced? Why, indeed, the Iraqi people have suffered enormous losses amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars? And why was billions of dollars imposed on the American people as the result of these military actions? Was not the military action against Iraq planned by the Zionists and their allies in the then US administration in complicity with the arms manufacturing countries and the possessors of wealth? Did the invasion of Afghanistan restore peace, security and economic wellbeing in the country?
The United States and its allies not only have failed to contain the production of drugs in Afghanistan, but the cultivation of narcotics has multiplied in the course of their presence. The basic question is that what was the responsibility and the job of the then US administration and its allies?
Did they represent the countries of the world? Have they been mandated by them? Have they been authorized by the people of the world to interfere in all parts of the globe, of course mostly in our region? Are not these measures a clear example of egocentrism, racism, discrimination or infringement upon the dignity and independence of nations?
Ladies and gentlemen, who is responsible for the current global economic crisis? Where did the crisis start from? From Africa, Asia or from the United States in the first place then spreading across Europe and their allies?
For a long time, they imposed inequitable economic regulations by their political power on the international economy. They imposed a financial and monetary system without a proper international oversight mechanism on nations and governments that played no role in repressive trends or policies. They have not even allowed their people to oversee or monitor their financial policies. They introduced all laws and regulations in defiance of all moral values only to protect the interests of the possessors of wealth and power.
They further presented a definition for market economy and competition that denied many of the economic opportunities that could be available to other countries of the world. They even transferred their problems to others while the waves of crisis lashed back plaguing their economies with thousands of billions of dollars in budget deficit. And today, they are injecting hundreds of billions of dollars of cash from the pockets of their own people and other nations into the failing banks, companies and financial institutions making the situation more and more complicated for their economy and their people. They are simply thinking about maintaining power and wealth. They could not care any less about the people of the world and even their own people.
Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen, Racism is rooted in the lack of knowledge concerning the root of human existence as the selected creature of God. It is also the product of his deviation from the true path of human life and the obligations of mankind in the world of creation, failing to consciously worship God, not being able to think about the philosophy of life or the path to perfection that are the main ingredients of divine and humanitarian values which have restricted the horizon of human outlook making transient and limited interests, the yardstick for his action. That is why evil's power took shape and expanded its realm of power while depriving others from enjoying equitable and just opportunities of development.
The result has been the making of an unbridled racism that is posing the most serious threats against international peace and has hindered the way for building peaceful coexistence in the entire world. Undoubtedly, racism is the symbol of ignorance which has deep roots in history and it is, indeed, the sign of frustration in the development of human society.
It is, therefore, crucially important to trace the manifestations of racism in situations or in societies where ignorance or lack of knowledge prevails. This increasing general awareness and understanding towards the philosophy of human existence is the principle struggle against such manifestations, and reveals the truth that human kind centers on the creation of the universe and the key to solving the problem of racism is a return to spiritual and moral values and finally the inclination to worship God Almighty.
The international community must initiate collective moves to raise awareness in afflicted societies where ignorance of racism still prevails so as to bring to a halt the spread of these malicious manifestations.
Dear Friends, today, the human community is facing a kind of racism which has tarnished the image of humanity in the beginning of the third millennium.
World Zionism personifies racism that falsely resorts to religions and abuses religious sentiments to hide its hatred and ugly face. However, it is of great importance to bring into focus the political goals of some of the world powers and those who control huge economic resources and interests in the world. They mobilize all the resources including their economic and political influence and world media to render support in vain to the Zionist regime and to maliciously diminish the indignity and disgrace of this regime.
This is not simply a question of ignorance and one cannot conclude these ugly phenomena through consular campaigns. Efforts must be made to put an end to the abuse by Zionists and their political and international supporters and in respect with the will and aspirations of nations. Governments must be encouraged and supported in their fights aimed at eradicating this barbaric racism and to move towards reform in current international mechanisms.
There is no doubt that you are all aware of the conspiracies of some powers and Zionist circles against the goals and objectives of this conference. Unfortunately, there have been literatures and statements in support of Zionists and their crimes. And it is the responsibility of honorable representatives of nations to disclose these campaigns which run counter to humanitarian values and principles.
It should be recognized that boycotting such a session as an outstanding international capacity is a true indication of supporting the blatant example of racism. In defending human rights, it is primarily important to defend the rights of all nations to participate equally in all important international decision making processes without the influence of certain world powers.
And secondly, it is necessary to restructure the existing international organizations and their respective arrangements. Therefore this conference is a testing ground and the world public opinion today and tomorrow will judge our decisions and our actions.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, the world is going through rapid fundamental changes. Power relations have become weak and fragile. The sound of cracks in the pillars of world systems can now be heard. Major political and economic structures are on the brink of collapse. Political and security crises are on the rise. The worsening crisis in the world economy for which there can be seen no bright prospect, demonstrates the rising tide of far-reaching global changes. I have repeatedly emphasized the need to change the wrong direction through which the world is being managed today and I have also warned of the dire consequences of any delay in this crucial responsibility.
Now in this valuable event, I would like to announce to all leaders, thinkers and to all nations of the world present in this meeting and those who have a hunger for peace and economic well-being that the unjust economic management of the world is now at the end of the road. This deadlock was inevitable since the logic of this imposed management was oppressive.
The logic of collective management of world affairs is based on noble aspirations which centers on human beings and the supremacy of the almighty God. Therefore it defies any policy or plan which goes against the influence of nations. The victory of right over wrong and the establishment of a just world system has been promised by the Almighty God and his messengers and it has been a shared goal of all human beings from different societies and generations in the course of history. Realization of such a future depends on the knowledge of creation and the belief of the faithful.
The making of a global society is in fact the accomplishment of a noble goal held in the establishment of a common global system that will be run with the participation of all nations of the world in all major decision making processes and the definite root to this sublime goal.
Scientific and technical capacities as well as communication technology have created a common and widespread understanding of the world society and has provided the necessary ground for a common system. Now it is upon all intellectuals, thinkers and policy makers in the world to carry out their historical responsibility with a firm belief in this definite root.
I also want to lay emphasis on the fact that Western liberalism and capitalism has reached its end since it has failed to perceive the truth of the world and humans as they are.
It has imposed its own goals and directions on human beings. There is no regard for human and divine values, justice, freedom, love and brotherhood and it has based living on intense competition, securing individual and cooperative material interest.
Now we must learn from the past by initiating collective efforts in dealing with present challenges and in this connection, and as a closing remark, I wish to draw your kind attention to two important issues:
Firstly, it is absolutely possible to improve the existing situation in the world. However it must be noted that this could be only achieved through the cooperation of all countries in order to get the best out of the existing capacities and resources in the world. My participation in this conference is because of my conviction to these important issues as well as to our common responsibility of defending the rights of nations vis-à-vis the sinister phenomena of racism and being with you, the thinkers of the world.
Secondly, mindful of the inefficiency of the current international political, economic and security systems, it is necessary to focus on divine and humanitarian values by referring to the true definition of human beings based upon justice and respect for the rights of all people in all parts of the world and by acknowledging the past wrong doings in the past dominant management of the world, and to undertake collective measures to reform the existing structures.
In this respect, it is crucially important to rapidly reform the structure of the Security Council, including the elimination of the discriminatory veto right and to change the current world financial and monetary systems.
It is evident that lack of understanding of the urgency for change is equivalent to the much heavier costs of delay.
Dear Friends, beware that to move in the direction of justice and human dignity is like a rapid flow in the current of a river. Let us not forget the essence of love and affection. The promised future of human beings is a great asset that may serve our purposes in keeping together to build a new world.
In order to make the world a better place full of love and blessings, a world devoid of poverty and hatred, merging the increasing blessings of God Almighty and the righteous managing of the perfect human being, let us all join hands in friendship in the fulfillment of such a new world.
I thank you Mr. President, Secretary General and all distinguished participants for having the patience to listen to me. Thank you very much. "
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Labels: Ahmadinejad, Durban, Iran, racism, U.N.
This is actually a good Speech. Even though he does put Zionist and US government to be responsible for the Iraq invasion, he is not wrong there either since Israel did support the US unconditionally in that regard. Now he could have used the words "State of Israel" rather then Zionist, however part of that is his point to differentiate between Jews and Zionist. Some thing that is commonly done in the Middle East to make a difference between the two. Iran have a large Jewish minority that is valued and integrated wish it does not want to offend. The speech is clearly targeted and legitimate. The walk out was a ploy in a way to discredit him totally since most will never read the whole speech.
Undemocratic behaviour. All voices have to be heard and respected if we ever want to achieve justice and peace.
at 09:36 on April 21st, 2009
No I think that is not the case.
We have no need to invite and hear the hatred and race baiting from an Anti-Semite. Maybe you need to hear it because it does not affect you and your family. But believe me Uwe, if his words touched the deepest part of your being with threats and hatred directed at YOU and your People then I find it unconvincing that you would be so generous with your gestures.
We here (Zionist, Zionism, Israeli, Jew, Judaism,) your choice, will never again allow others to shape our destiny with the end result being another holocaust. You can call Zionism, racist, that is your right. But the Jewish State is our homeland and our sanctuary. Not Canada, US, certainly not the EU.
It is real easy to make us the enemy of peace. But we know, the Israelis and the Palestinians, that we are pawns in the bigger picture of power, greed and hatred. Look at Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria. They are all fighting with each other and all concerned with Iran, non Arab and not like them in any stretch of the imagination. The Iranian mullahs couldn't care one bit that Arabs will be destroyed along with the Jews by a bomb. Everyone knows it living here and you need to wake up and see clearly through clean glasses not rose colored if you are truly concerned.We have no room for failure or mistakes. Just one of these will bring devastation to the entire planet.
at 12:55 on April 21st, 2009
Wowww...
It was kinda a different speech. at first i read a false translation (as i think). but it is totally different now. most of them are deniable. i really got confused about everything. think i need to sit down and start my brain in order to find out wether he is right !? i realy dont have any idea. maybe he's kinda right. in my entire life i was told that israelis are the most fabulas people all over the world, but now i see things totally confusing. and also about the veto i have to confess that i think he is totally right. i just need to think ... wowww