Iran's Ahmadinejad Congratulates Obama, Urges 'Real' Change

TEHRAN, Nov. 6 -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated President-elect Barack Obama on his victory, the first time since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution that an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to an American counterpart.

Ahmadinejad wrote a letter to Obama saying Iran would welcome "major, fair and real changes, in policies and actions, especially in this region," according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. Analysts here say the letter indicates that Iran is ready to improve relations with the United States.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[MagisterLudi]

Ayatollah Ali Khameneh'i, is the the "Supreme Leader of Iran.
Under the Iranian Constitution, the "Supreme Guide" has unlimited powers.
Khamenei controls the purse strings of the Iranian state. Khamenei has the power to approve or change the national budget. Khamenei is the commander-in-chief of army and police. Khamenei approves EVERY ministerial, gubernatorial and ambassadorial appointment Khamenei. PERSONALLY controls about $2 billion per year, to do what he wishes with. No oversight.
Ahamidenjad is just an understudy in that theatre of absurd.

[Marichu]

In spite of being a windbag, Ahmadinejad is a cunning politician. He wants the United States to rescind the economic sanctions imposed against Iran. In fact, the US just beefed up its sanctions against Iran's banks by banning certain types of fund transfers routed through US banks.
By issuing this statement, Ahmadinejad may be opening a door to the possibility of starting some sort of dialogue with the US. Knowing that under president elect Obama, there is a good chance for constructive discourse among adversaries that may prove beneficial to both countries. Talks that were not possible under Bush. A small step but at least it is a step forward.

[MagisterLudi]

No one takes Ahmad serious. Not even Iranians. Only to some illiterate M _u slim 'street' AhMad is a hero.
AhMAdInJihad is finnochio to Khamenei's Mangiafuoco.

[Marichu]

MagisterLudi

The relationship between Ahmad inejad and Kha menei and the clerical elite may be tepid due to the economic mismanagement and performance by Ahmad inejad. But he is still their boy. The overture by Ahmad inejad had to have been approved and sanctioned by Kha menie. The Iranian presidency is a largely ceremonial post anyway.

[mmmd]

Here's to improved relations and years of peace.

[MagisterLudi]

Now for a speech from the REAL rulers of Iran.

According to a report by the official Iranian news agency IRNA, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said" "We are happy that the U.S. economy has come across difficulty. They are attesting unfavorable consequences of their conducts. They are experiencing divine punishment. We are happy over that. The unhappier they become, the happier we get, as they become happy as we get unhappy."

Talking about turning down the rhetoric.

[Dystopic]

Ahmadinejad is a result of Bush.

Khatami was a reformer, and we kneecapped him.

[Ramirez]

It's Bush's fault.

[Durango]

I think you are correct.

Bush encircled Iran with war. And any people of any nation will tend to support their government in times of crisis. The encirclement empowered the most conservative and repressive forces in Iran.

However, Ahmedinejad did win on a populist economic reform agenda. He promised to help the poor.

It seems, despite the boom in oil prices the Iranian economy is not doing well. Which probably means the end of Ahmedinejad.

Iran has Presidential elections this summer. If the Obama Administration plays their cards right we might just see a very friendly western looking government of Iran.

The Iranian people are ready for change. They are tired of the corruption. If left alone that change might just be possible.

[MagisterLudi]

There's only ONE ruler in Iran-- the Ayatollah. Everyone else is only playing hop scotch.

[Durango]

Hey, clueless.

Iran is a VERY complicated country. It's politics are far from simple.

There is not ONE ruler in Iran. there are many different centers of power. Most of them competing in one form or another.

Even the most important Ayatollahs do not agree on everything. Or maybe even much of anything.

Iran, like the rest of the world is a very complicated place. Your simplistic view of the world just went down in flmaes.

Get used to it.

[ImpalaSuperSport]

Ahmadinejad's post script -

Congratulations Obama, oh and DEATH TO AMERICA, THE GREAT SATAN!

[Ramirez]

The Iranian leadership has reached out to Obama and there is a chance that our nations will open up a new dialogue and work together to create hope and change. This will promote good will and understanding between nations and lead to a better world, and the only Iranian requirement for this new and positive relationship is that we allow them to develop nuclear weapons. Many Americans feel that's no big deal, really.

[Durango]

Since Iran has publicaly denied developing nuclear weapons. And since the top religous leaders have stated publicly that nuclear weapons are un-Islamic.

And since there is no credible evidence that they are working on Nukes. Not to mention the evidence shows they STOPPED working on them in 2003.

I think creating a world situation where Iran (or other nations of the world) do not feel they need nuclear weapons to defend themselves against western aggression is probably the best policy.

[Ramirez]

"The Iranian regime supports violent extremes. And challenges across the region. It pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race," he told AIPAC's annual meeting in Washington.

[MagisterLudi]

"since there is no credible evidence that they are working on Nukes."
You consider your own conjectures credible international proof? hmmm..

" Iran is nearing the ability to arm a nuclear warhead even if it insists its atomic activities are peaceful, the European Union warned Wednesday.
the EU also asserted that Iran appeared to have had a past nuclear arms program despite its denials... "leads one to think that the Iran has methodically pursued a program aimed at acquiring the nuclear bom

[MagisterLudi]

"since there is no credible evidence that they are working on Nukes."

U.N. Security Council. 2008

"The Iranian leadership"s claim that the Council sought to deprive Iran of its right to peaceful nuclear energy... was simply not true. "

"Many other Governments around the world, enjoyed national civilian nuclear energy programmes without any difficulties, demonstrating that there was no incompatibility between a country"s right to a peaceful nuclear-energy programme and its non-proliferation obligations."

[MagisterLudi]

"since there is no credible evidence that they are working on Nukes."

IAEA 2008: Director General Mohamed ElBaradei reported that Iran had repeatedly and over an extended period failed to declare its uranium enrichment program. "IAEA Agency has not been able to make substantive progress on the alleged studies and associated questions relevant to possible military dimensions to Iran"s nuclear programme. These remain of serious concern."

[The Lorax]

That first part is huge - "our nations will open up a new dialogue and work together ".

[saintsfan2008]

Yesterday Obama was briefed on national security issues. I heard more than one person say his mind will change quickly on some things once he hears this stuff. This will be information that very few people know (Sorry Rosie O'Donnel they don't tell you secret stuff). I am glad I don't know this stuff, I'm sure some of it is pretty scary. My point is that you may see Obama not seem as "soft" on some of this stuff as he once was after he hears the real deal.

[Durango]

The idea that our leaders know so much more than we do is SO 1960's.

That idea went out with Lyndon Johnson.

The fools in the Bush/Cheney Administration knew LESS than most everyone else in the world who were actually paying attention.

[Durango]

Of course the "secret" information in the briefings probably dealt with the high level discussions going on between the American military and Iran.

That we have been not only talking to, but are cooperating with one of the Axis of Evil.

This is all top secret because it would embarrass tough guy Bush.

[MagisterLudi]

AhMad is a loud nobody. Unfortunately, the ruler of Iran does not meet with "infidels." So it is difficult to negotiate by proxy.
But the list of Ayatollahs self-proclaimed enemies is laughably long: US, liberalism, communists, socialists, rock, hip hop, literature, ballet, Sir Salman Rushdie, lipstick, Jews, Buddhists, Taoists, protesters, gays, short skirts, etc.
Sure we can talk to them and negotiate with them, The West negotiated,even worked closely with Stalin. But-- hold a big stick along with the olive branch.

[franklin opt]

Lipstick and PIGS - don't forget the pigs.

[MagisterLudi]

How can I forget the pork? Mea culpa.

[GoVeg]

World peace is slowly arriving.

[MagisterLudi]

No it's not. Contrary of what you've heard, we've elected a middle of the road- politician not a Messiah. Calm down.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Big Bad Ahmadinejad (Palin worked HARD to pronounce his name).
This is so great to hear...I hope that Israel comes around and understands that this is for peace's sake. I understand the frustrations of the Israeli's, but they need to understand that Carter, Obama, Clinton - they are working towards peace and the only way that can happen is to bring the two sides together.

[MagisterLudi]

Perspective: Iran and Israel have NO outstanding disputes. None. In fact Israel and Iran always had a decent relationship: until mullahs came to power. Iranian and Jewish people have no problems with each other. Only Iranian theocracy has a problem with Jewish state. Oppressive regimes like Ayatollah's require their bete noir. Always.

[mergina]

Oh don't worry, America is going to change. Now it is your turn. CHANGE. JOIN THE WORLD IN HEALING ITSELF SO WE HAVE A HOME TO LIVE ON.

[micmac]

Peace thru superior firepower.

[jqcitizen]

Does this mean that there a possibility that diplomacy could once again become the norm?

Citizens here have been fed up with the 'Shock and Awe', 'Axis of Evil' and 'Bomb, Bomb, Bomb' nonsense for years. The current Administration has acted like an angry bully on the schoolyard with the attitude 'If you don't do what I want you to do I'm going to beat you up'.

It does not take long before the 'Bully' looks around and finds he has no friends anywhere.

Hopefully the new administration will not consider the citizens of Iran, or any country, evil and just eager to go to war. Some parts of the world has experienced endless war, but I cannot believe they enjoy it.

Things can change. There is such a thing as "Trust but Verify". Remember those words from Reagan?

[Opt1musPr1me]

Oy!