The InterContinental Must Decide Between the International Community and President Ahmadinejad

We at United Against Nuclear Iran yesterday reported that the InterContinental The Barclay, located in Midtown Manhattan, has decided to play host to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian delegation during their visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly next week. Despite Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust and his designation of Israel as a "stinking corpse," the InterContinental has once again graciously rolled out the red carpet for the theocratic leader of Iran.

We have questioned the InterContinental's past decisions to conduct business with Iran and, accordingly, have listed InterContinental Hotels on its Iran Business Registry. What is surprising, however, is that despite this year's illegitimate elections, President Ahmadinejad's brutal repression and torture of his own citizens, and the Iranian regime's refusal to give up or even discuss its illegal nuclear weapons program, the InterContinental has still chosen to host President Ahmadinejad and afford him with the imprimatur of respectability that not even the international community has granted him.

By accommodating the Iranian delegation, the InterContinental not only endorses President Ahmadinejad's election, but continues to turn a blind eye to the regime's flagrant violations of human rights and its commitment to illegally develop nuclear weapons.

Has the InterContinental considered whether short-term economic gains outweigh the grave implications of supporting a terrorist state? If the decision was careless, the InterContinental still has an opportunity to refuse to host President Ahmadinejad, but if it was deliberate, one must wonder what the InterContinental seeks to gain and what lengths it would go to in order to accommodate other state sponsors of terror. Either way, they have clearly chosen the wrong path.

Iran has been a major state sponsor of terrorism, including providing support for Hamas and Hezbollah -- two groups that have perpetrated murder of a vast scale and whose violent actions have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of American citizens. Iran has defied the United Nations and the international Atomic Energy Agency to pursue an illegal nuclear program that, by all reasonable accounts, is for the purpose of developing a nuclear weapon. Iran has repeatedly called for the exterminations of Israel, and denied the occurrence of the Holocaust. Reports state that Iran may obtain a nuclear weapon by as early as the end of 2009. If Iran obtains a nuclear weapon, the already volatile Middle East will likely see the start of a regional nuclear arms race. Needless to say, a nuclear arms race in the Middle East is a clear threat to American national security and her allies.

At the same time that Iran's government diverts billions of dollars from its yearly budget to support an illegal nuclear program, Iran's oil-based economy has suffered. Already weakened by U.S. and EU sanctions, Iran's economy now stands on the brink of economic collapse. Fluctuating but lower oil prices and the effects of continued sanctions have made Iran uniquely susceptible to financial pressure. Further economic pressure will have a significant, if not a decisive, impact on Iran's ability to successfully develop the technology to obtain a nuclear weapon. American and international companies that do business with Iran for short-term economic gain legitimize Ayatollah Khomeini's theocracy, provide the last crutch for the faltering Iranian economy, and facilitate the regime's diversion of funds to its illicit nuclear program. Now, more than ever, Iran relies on engagement with corporations like the InterContinental to support its fragile economy, to fund its nuclear program and to perpetuate a brutal dictatorial theocracy.

The InterContinental has chosen to empower the Iranian regime and its nuclear weapons program and rather than to stand with the international community to isolate Iran. It's not too late for the InterContinental to change its mind.

Comments

[soodeeell]

Kimmee
I agree with you. At best, that Ahmadinejad is the legitimately elected leader of Iran is in doubt. At worst, he and his sponsors have murdered, tortured and raped those who oppose his election to force him on the people of Iran. He continues to spout off hatred against the US. The staff of the Intercontinental will be playing host to a man who this morning was smiling to the chants of "Death to America" - that means death to us. This is the kind of talk that led 16 devotees to destroy the Twin Towers and kills thousands of Americans only 8 years ago. So, no, I have no right to tell the Intercontinental which guests it can and can't accept. But if they are going to provide shelter and take blood money from someone that hates Americans so much, then Americans have a right, as I will, to take their business elsewhere.

[DevonTexas]

As a Hardline Liberal and usually supporting causes against injustice, I gotta say I'm not with you on this one. The UN is just that, a United Nations. Housing the deligation from Iran is NOT a political act and should not be comdemned as such. Getting Iran to the UN is necessary to getting them to the table to talk about these issues and perhaps get some resolve. As long as Iran is a member of the UN they deserve to be able to attend sesions without being discriminated against.

Save your energy for a more important matter. Sorry.

[Pirouz]

Kimmie, why are you so afraid of Ahmadinejad?

Attempting to deny the Iranian delegation lodging is an act of cowardice.

Let the Iranians address the UN. Let the people hear what they have to say. Keep an open mind. Then judge for yourself.

[Wozzeck]

Why don't you mount a boycott campaign against nuclear Israel
Israel has defied the United Nations and the international Atomic Energy Agency to pursue an illegal nuclear program that, by all reasonable accounts, has developed hundreds of nuclear weapons. Israel has has repeatedly called for an attack on Iran

[Tavallai]

Because corporate boycotts of Israel are prohibited by US law.

Seriously.

I'm not kidding.

I know, right?

[Liberterna]

Don't forget the US congress and Senate have been "occupied territory" of the Israeli lobby for many many decades.

The cards are stacked, such is the way of the world, money buy power and power buys influence to do as you wish with little consequence.

You have to admire that about the Israeli lobby, convincing America to alienate 1 billion muslims in exchange for the right and the pleasure of supporting israel at the tune of billions of dollars per year forever.

I wonder what Thomas Jefferson would think of this. his wisest words:

"Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another? "
Thomas Jefferson

[altohone]

Kimmie-

If you're going to break a news story, you may want to substantiate your claims.

"or even discuss its illegal nuclear weapons program" is a statement that would be news if you had any proof.

Since you don't present any proof, and none has EVER been presented by ANYONE, it makes the whole post fall into the neocon propaganda realm. Not good. Repeating false claims doesn't make them true.


I think other commenters covered the overall shortcomings well.

[Mollabaji]

Kimmie,

No one has the right to tell a hotel which guests to accept or not to accept. In other words, mind you own business.
If you are really interested in "human rights violations", go ahead and write about Israel in the occupied lands and its treatment of the Palestinians.

[DomainDiva]

Perhaps this article could be used in some way by Glenn Beck. The premise makes no sense at all. There is no reason to treat another head of state in a disrespectful manner. Even if the politics are those we do not agree with, charity must first and foremost be offered.

[WilliePilgrim]

The goal of bring about change in Iran is not going to be made any easier by our treating the Iranian head of state in a disparaging way. It's just not the way it works and as example look how poorly it's worked on North Korea and Cuba. A better way to work this is to embrace him and make him feel like he's part of the process and make sure he knows it's not a process that is unreasonable. It may taste bitter, and it may run contrary to our interpretation of history, including the holocaust, but by being intransigent on this you are blocking the kinds of reforms that you want. Look at how it worked in our favor in Rumania, once the cat was out of the bag.
As for change in Iran. I hope it comes soon but based on the fact that the overwhelming majority of those who want to see the Amahdinajahd out are centrally located right in the capital city and there is no overwhelming surge from the rest of the working class across Iran, nor is there an undercurrent of dissatisfaction among the military/police. Pushing hard from the outside generates resistance. Work from the inside by bringing truth to the Iranians and please lets see the would-be replacements of Amahdinajahd cut the Islamic rhetoric they are wielding..­.it works agains them.

[Charlotte Safavi - Huffpost Blogger]

Kimmie, interesting piece. Read my Green articles on Iran in Huff Post if you get a chance. Just a more personal perspective on current events.

[wereeverywhere]

"The InterContinental has chosen to empower the Iranian regime..."

No it hasn't. The UN being in NY, and the 1st Amendment, has consequences. It's lamentable that there's no real international court of justice so maybe you could use your considerable influence to that end.But for now you have no grounds to banish this guy from speaking in the US. Why blame the hotel for all this?