In the aftermath of Durban II, with the looming threat of an Iran capable of delivering a nuclear payload, it is instructive to read the original draft of President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad's opening keynote submitted to the United Nations for the Durban 2009 anti-racism conference. President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton are going to have their work cut out finding a common vocabulary for any dialogue with a regime led by the likes of this Holocaust denier.
***Please note I have taken the liberty of putting selected paragraphs in CAPS. There are no other changes to the document._________________________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of IranTo the United Nations Office and other International Organizations28, chemin du Petit-Saconnex / 1209 Geneva
StatementbyH.E. Dr. Mahmoud AhmadinejadadPresident of the Islamic Republic of IranHigh Level SegmentDurban Review ConferenceGeneva, 20 April 2009 Praise be upon Allah, the AlmightyWho is Just, Kind and Compassionate
May He bestow upon His Prophets, His Blessings and His Grace from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ and His last Prophet Mohammad- Peace Be Upon them all, who were the harbingers of monotheism, fraternity, love, human dignity and justice.
Mr. Chairman,Honorable Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ladies and Gentleman,
We have gathered here in the follow-up to the Durban Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, to work out practical mechanisms for our holy and humanitarian campaign. Over the last centuries, humanity has gone through tremendous 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, when innocent people, in millions, were captivated and separated from their families and loved ones to be taken to Europe and America. A dark period that also experienced occupations, lootings and massacre of innocent people.
Many years passed by before nations rose up and fight for their liberty. They lost millions of lives to expel the occupiers and proclaim their independence. However, it did not take long that the coercive powers imposed two world 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 devastations. Had lessons been learned from the oppressions, horror and crimes of those wars, there would have been a ray of hope to the future. The victorious powers called themselves the conquerors of the world, while ignoring or down treading the rights of other nations by the imposition of oppressive laws and arrangements. Ladies and Gentlemen,Let us take a look at the UN Security Council which is one of the legacies of the World War One and World War Two. What was the logic behind their granting themselves the Veto rights? How can such a logic comply with humanitarian or spiritual values? Could it be in conformity with the recognized principles of justice, equality before law, love and human dignity, or rather with discrimination, injustice, violation of human rights or humiliation of the majority of nations? That Council is the highest decision-decision making world body for safeguarding the international peace and security. How can we expect the realization of justice and peace when discrimination is legalized and the origin of law is dominated by coercion and force rather than by justice and the right?
Although, today many proponents of racism condemn racial discrimination in words and in their slogans, a number of powerful countries have been authorized to decide for other nations, based on their interest and at their own discretions. They can easily ridicule and violate all laws and humanitarian values, as they have done so.
FOLLOWING THE WORLD WAR TWO, THEY RESORTED TO MILITARY AGGRESSION TO MAKE AN ENTIRE NATION HOMELESS, ON THE PRETEXT OF JEWISH SUFFERINGS AND THE AMBIGUOUS AND DUBIOUS QUESTION OF HOLOCAUST. THEY SENT MIGRANTS FROM EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES AND FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A TOTALLY RACIST GOVERNMENT IN THE 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 RACISTS IN PALESTINE.
THE SECURITY COUNCIL HELPED STABILIZE THE ZIONIST REGIME AND SUPPORTED THE ZIONISTS IN THE PAST SIXTY YEARS, GIVING THEM A FREE HAND TO CONTINUE THEIR CRIMES. IT IS ALL THE MORE REGRETTABLE THAT A NUMBER OF WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO DEFEND THOSE RACIST PERPETRATORS OF GENOCIDE, WHILST THE AWAKENED CONSCIENCE AND FREE- MINDED PEOPLE OF THE WORLD CONDEMN THE ZIONIST CRIMES OF AGGRESSION CARNAGE AND OTHER BRUTALITIES OF BOMBARDMENTS OF CIVILIANS IN GAZA. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OR SILENT AGAINST THE DISGRACEFUL ACTS OF ZIONIST REGIME. MOST REGRETTABLY THE REASON BEHIND THEIR SUPPORT AND SILENCE IS THAT THE EGOIST AND UNCIVILIZED ZIONISM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEEPLY PENETRATE INTO THEIR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE INCLUDING THEIR LEGISLATION, MASS MEDIA, COMPANIES, FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, AND THEIR SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES. THEY HAVE IMPOSED THEIR DOMINATION TO THE EXTENT THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE AGAINST THEIR WILL. IN SOME COUNTRIES, EVEN A CHANGE IN GOVERNMENTS NEVER LEADS TO A CHANGE IN SUPPORTING THE ZIONISTS, WHILE THEY ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THEIR CRIMES, AND THIS BY ITSELF IS MOST REGRETTABLE.SO LONG AS ZIONIST DOMINATION CONTINUES, MANY COUNTRIES, GOVERNMENTS AND NATIONS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO ENJOY FREEDOM, INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY. AS LONG AS THEY ARE AT THE HELM OF POWER, JUSTICE WILL NEVER PREVAIL IN THE WORLD AND HUMAN DIGNITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE OFFENDED AND TRAMPLED UP ON.IT IS TIME THE IDEAL OF ZIONISM WHICH IS THE PARAGON OF RACISM TO BE BROKEN.
Distinguished delegates, Ladies and GentlemenWhat are the root causes of U.S attacks against Iraq or invasion of Afghanistan? Was the motive behind the invasion of Iraq anything other than the arrogance of the then U.S administration and mounting pressure on the part of the owner of wealth and power to expand their sphere of influence seeking the interests of giant arms- manufacturing companies, effacing a noble culture with thousands of years of historical background, eliminating a potential and practical threats of Muslim countries against the usurper Zionist regime, or to control and plunder energy resources of the Iraqi people? Why indeed almost a million people were killed and injured and a few more millions were displaced and became homeless?
WHY INDEED THE IRAQI PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED ENORMOUS LOSSES AMOUNTING TO HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND WHY WAS HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IMPOSED ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND ITS ALLIES AS A RESULT OF THESE MILITARY ACTIONS? WASN'T THE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ PLANNED BY THE ZIONISTS AND THEIR ALLIES IN THE THEN U.S ADMINISTRATION IN COMPLICITY WITH THE ARMS MANUFACTURING GIANTS?
Did invasion of Afghanistan restore peace, security and economic well-being in this country? The United States and its allies not only have failed to contain the production of drugs in Afghanistan but also the illicit cultivation of narcotics multiplied in the course of their presence. The basic question is that what was the responsibility and job of the then U.S administration and its allies? Did they represent countries of the world? Have they been mandated by them? Have they been authorized on behalf of the people of the world to interfere in all parts of the globe, and of course mostly in our region? Aren't these measures a clear example of ego- centrism, racism, discrimination, or infringement upon dignity and independence of nations?
Ladies and gentlemen,Who are responsible for the current global economic crises? Where did the crises start from? From Africa? From Asia? Or was that first from the United States, then spreading to Europe and to their allies? For a long time they imposed inequitable economic regulations by their political power on the international economy. They imposed a financial and a monetary system without a proper international oversight mechanism on nations and governments that played no role in its respective 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 to all moral values only to protect the interests of the owners of wealth and powers. 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; whilst the wave 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 cash from the pockets of their own people in to 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 and they couldn't care any less about the people of the world and even their own peoples.
Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen,
Racism is rooted in lack of knowledge concerning the truth 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 obligation 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 have restricted the horizon of human out look, making transient and limited interests a yardstick for his actions. This is why the cells of devil's power took shape and expanded its realm of power by depriving others from enjoying equitable and just opportunities. The result has been the making of an unbridled racism that is posing the most serious threat against the international peace.
Undoubtedly, racism is the symbol of ignorance which has deep roots in history, and it is indeed a sign of frustration in developments 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 principal struggle against such manifestations. The key to understand the truth that human kind centers on the creation of the universe is a return to spiritual and moral values, and finally the inclination to worship God the Almighty. The international community must initiate collective moves to raise awareness in the afflicted societies where ignorance of racism still prevails, so as to bring a halt to the spread of these malicious manifestations.
DEAR FRIENDS,
TODAY HUMAN COMMUNITY IS FACING A KIND OF RACISM WHICH HAS TARNISHED THE IMAGE OF HUMANITY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM. THE WORLD ZIONISM PERSONIFIES RACISM THAT FALSELY RESORTS TO RELIGION AND ABUSE RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS TO HIDE THEIR HATRED AND UGLY FACES. 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 INTERESTS AND WEALTH IN THE WORLD. THEY MOBILIZE ALL THEIR RESOURCES INCLUDING THEIR ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND WORLD MEDIA TO RENDER SUPPORTS TO THE ZIONIST REGIME AND MALICIOUSLY ENDEAVOR TO DIMINISH THE INDIGNITY AND DISGRACE OF THIS REGIME. THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A QUESTION OF IGNORANCE AND ONE CAN NOT CONQUER THESE UGLY PHENOMENA THROUGH CULTURAL CAMPAIGN. EFFORTS MUST BE MADE TO PUT AN END TO THE ABUSE BY ZIONISTS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS OF POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEANS AND IN RESPECT OF 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 REFORMING THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL MECHANISMS.THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF CONSPIRACIES OF SOME POWERS AND ZIONIST CIRCLES AGAINST THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS CONFERENCE. UNFORTUNATELY THERE CAN BEEN LITERATURES AND STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ZIONISM 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 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. Secondly it is necessary to restructure the existing international organizations and their respective arrangement. Therefore this conference is a testing ground and the world public opinion today and tomorrow will judge us.
Mr. President,The world is going through fundamental changes. Power relations have become so weak and fragile. The sound of cracks in the pillars of world oppression can now be heard. Major political and economic structures are at 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 amply demonstrate 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. I have also warned of the dire consequences of any delay in this crucial responsibility. Now, in this august and valuable event, I would like to announce here to all leaders and thinkers, present in this conference who are devoted to the cause of peace, freedom, progress, and human well being that the inequitable and unjust 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 interests of nations. Victory of the right over the wrong and establishment of a just world system have been promised by God and His messengers and it has been a shared goal of human being from different societies and generations in the course of history.Realization of such a future depends on the knowledge of the creation and is the belief in the hearts of all the faithful. The making of a global society is in fact the accomplishment of a noble goal heralding the establishment of a common global system that will be run with the participation of all nations of the world in all major and basic decision- makings and the definite route to this sublime goal. Scientific and technical capacities as well as communication technologies has created a common and widespread understanding of the world society and has provided the necessary ground for a common system. Now it is incumbent upon all intellectuals, thinkers and policy makers in the world to carry out their historical responsibility with firm belief to this definite route.
I also want to lay emphasis on the fact that the western liberalism, like communism, has reached to its end since it has failed to perceive the truth of the world and human as it is. It has imposed its own goals and direction on human beings with no regard for human and divine values, justice, freedom, love or brotherhood, has based the living on a intensive competition for securing individual and collective material interests. We must learn from the past by initiating collective efforts in dealing with present challenges. In this connection and in closing my remarks I wish to draw your kind attention to two important points:1- 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 in the world.My participation in this conference is because of my conviction to this important issues as well as to our common responsibility of defending the rights of nations vis-a-vis the sinister phenomenon of racism. 2-Mindful of the inefficacy of the current international political, economic and security systems, it is necessary to focus on the divine and human values and by referring to the true definition on human being and based upon justice and respect for the rights of the all in all parts of the world and by acknowledging the past wrong doings in the past dominant management of the world, undertake collective measures to reform the existing structures. In this respect, it is crucially important to reform rapidly the structure of the Security Council including the elimination of the discriminatory veto right and change the current world financial and monetary system. It is evident that the lack of understanding on the urgency for change is equivalent to the much heavier costs of delay.
Dear friends,
To move in direction of justice and human dignity is like the natural rapid flow in current of a river. Lest we forget the essence of love and affection. The promised bright future of the human being a great asset that may serve our purpose in keeping us together to build a new world full of love, fraternity and blessing. A world void of poverty and hatred meriting the increasing blesses of God Almighty and the righteous managing of the perfect human being. Lets us all join hands in amity in playing our share in the fulfillment of such of decent new world.