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http://www.president.ir/eng/
5/8/2006
Mr. George Bush,
President of the United States of
America
For sometime now I have been
thinking, how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the
international arena -- which are being constantly debated, especially in
political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain
unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and
questions, in the hopes that it might bring about an opportunity to redress
them.
Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger of God,
Feel obliged to respect human rights,
Present liberalism as a civilization model,
Announce one�s opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs,
Make �War on Terror� his slogan,And finally,
Work towards the establishment of a unified international community � a
community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day govern,
But at the same time,
Have countries attacked. The lives, reputations and possessions of people
destroyed and on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals in a
village, city, or convoy for example, the entire village, city or convoy set
ablaze.
Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is
occupied, around one hundred thousand people killed, its water sources,
agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put on the
ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the country pushed
back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of dollars spent
from the treasury of one country and certain other countries and tens of
thousands of young men and women � as occupation troops � put in harms way,
taken away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with the blood of
others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that everyday some commit
suicide and those returning home suffer depression, become sickly and grapple
with all sorts of ailments; while some are killed and their bodies handed to
their families.
On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to engulf both
the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country. Later it was revealed
that no WMDs existed to begin with.
Of course Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to
topple him, the announced goal of the war was to find and destroy weapons of
mass destruction. He was toppled along the way towards another goal;
nevertheless the people of the region are happy about it. I point out that
throughout the many years of the imposed war on Iran Saddam was supported by
the West.
Mr. President,
You might know that I am a teacher. My
students ask me how can these actions be reconciled with the values outlined at
the beginning of this letter and duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ (PBUH),
the Messenger of peace and forgiveness?
There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no legal
representation, their families cannot see them and are obviously kept in a
strange land outside their own country. There is no international monitoring of
their conditions and fate. No one knows whether they are prisoners, POWs,
accused or criminals.
European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in
Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction of a person, and him or her
being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any judicial system. For
that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values
outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings of Jesus Christ
(PBUH), human rights and liberal values.
Young people, university students, and ordinary people have many questions
about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar with some of them.
Throughout history many countries have been occupied, but I think the
establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that is
exclusive to our times.
Students are saying that sixty years ago such a country did not exist. They
show old documents and globes and say try as we have, we have not been able to
find a country named Israel.
I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told
me that during WWII, which more than tens of millions of people perished in,
news about the war, was quickly disseminated by the warring parties. Each
touted their victories and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other
party. After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been killed. Six
million people that were surely related to at least two million families.
Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically translate
into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle East or support for
such a state? How can this phenomenon be rationalized or explained?
Mr.
President,
I am sure you know how � and
at what cost � Israel was established:
-Many thousands were killed in the process.
-Millions of indigenous people were made refugees.
-Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, townsand
villages were destroyed.
This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately it
has been ongoing for sixty years now.
A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to kids, destroys
houses while the occupants are still in them, announces beforehand its list and
plans to assassinate Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands of Palestinians
in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique � or at the very least extremely rare �
in recent memory.
Another big question asked by the people is �why is this regime being supported?�
Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH) or
Moses (PBUH) or liberal values?
Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands �
inside and outside Palestine -- whether they are Christian, Moslem or Jew, to
determine their fate, runs contrary to principles of democracy, human rights
and the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so much opposition to a
referendum?
The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office. All
independent observes have confirmed that this government represents the
electorate. Unbelievingly, they have put the elected government under pressure
and have advised it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and
follow the programs of the previous government.
If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the
Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such position taken in
opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values outlined
earlier? The people are also asking �why are all UNSC resolutions in
condemnation of Israel vetoed?�
Mr. President,
As you are well aware, I live
amongst the people and am in constant contact with them -- many people from
around the Middle East manage to contact me as well. They do not have faith in
these dubious policies either. There is evidence that the people of the region
are becoming increasingly angry with such policies.
It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I need to refer to other
points as well.
Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the
Middle East region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist
regime? Is not scientific R&D one of the basic rights of nations?
You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other point
in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the
possibility of scientific achievements being utilized for military purposes be
reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether? If such a
supposition is true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics,
chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc. must be opposed.
Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no doubt that
telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not like to be lied
to.
Mr.
President,
Don�t Latin Americans have the
right to ask why their elected governments are being opposed and coup leaders
supported? Or, Why must they constantly be threatened and live in fear?
The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented. They can play an
important and valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and
contribute to its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in
large parts of Africa are preventing this from happening. Don�t they have the
right to ask why their enormous wealth � including minerals � is being looted,
despite the fact that they need it more than others?
&nb sp;
Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings Of Christ and the tenets of
human rights?
The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many questions and grievances,
including: the coup d�etat of 1953 and the subsequent toppling of the legal
government of the day, opposition to the Islamic revolution, transformation of
an Embassy into a headquarters supporting the activities of those opposing the
Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of documents corroborate this claim),
support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran, the shooting down of the
Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian nation, increasing
threats, anger and displeasure vis-�-vis the scientific and nuclear progress of
the Iranian nation (just when all Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their
country�s progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer to in this
letter.
Mr.
President,
September Eleven was a
horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is deplorable and appalling in
any part of the world. Our government immediately declared its disgust with the
perpetrators and offered its condolences to the bereaved and expressed its
sympathies.
All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good standing of
their citizens. Reportedly your government employs extensive security,
protection and intelligence systems � and even hunts its opponents abroad. September
eleven was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and executed without
coordination with intelligence and security services � or their extensive
infiltration? Of course this is just an educated guess. Why have the various
aspects of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched their
responsibilities? And, why aren�t those responsible and the guilty parties
identified and put on trial?
All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for
their citizens. For some years now, the people of your country and neighbors of
world trouble spots do not have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of healing
and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American people --
who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks -- some Western media only
intensified the climate of fear and insecurity � some constantly talked about
the possibility of new terror attacks and kept the people in fear. Is that
service to the American people? Is it possible to calculate the damages
incurred from fear and panic?
American citizens lived in constant fear of fresh attacks that could come at
any moment and in any place. They felt insecure in the streets, in their place
of work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the media,
instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace of mind, giving
rise to a feeling of insecurity?
Some believe that the hype paved the way -- and was the justification --for an
attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media.
In media charters, correct dissemination of information and honest reporting of
a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the disregard
shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main pretext for an
attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated incessantly -- for
the public to finally believe -- and the ground set for an attack on
Iraq.
Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate?
Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be reconciled with the
earlier mentioned values?
Is the truth known to the Almighty lost as well?
Mr. President,
In countries around the world,
citizens provide for the expenses of governments so that their governments in
turn are able to serve them.
The question here is �what has the hundreds of billions of dollars, spent every
year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the citizens?�
As Your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country, people are
living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and unemployment is a huge
problem. Of course these problems exist � to a larger or lesser extent -- in
other countries as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan
expenses of the campaign � paid from the public treasury � be explained and be
consistent with the aforementioned principles?
What has been said, are some of the grievances of the people around the
world, in our region and in your country. But my main contention � which I am
hoping you will agree to some of it � is:
Those in power have a specific time in office and do not rule indefinitely, but
their names will be recorded in history and will be constantly judged in the
immediate and distant futures.
The people will scrutinize our presidencies.
Did we mange to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or
insecurity and unemployment?
Did we intend to establish justice or just supported especial interest groups,
and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, made a few people
rich and powerful -- thus trading the approval of the people and the Almighty
with theirs�?
Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them?
Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on
them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish prisons and
incarcerated some of them?
Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter of intimidation
and threats?
Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented an
inverted version of it?
Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors?
Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior, logic, ethics,
peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity,
progress and respect for human dignity or the force of guns,
Intimidation, insecurity, disregard for the people, delaying the progress and
excellence of other nations, and trample on people�s rights?
And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true to our oath of
office � to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of the
prophets -- or not?
Mr. President,
How much longer can the world
tolerate this situation?
Where will this trend lead the world to?
How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of some
rulers?
How much longer will the specter of insecurity � raised from the stockpiles of
weapons of mass destruction -- hunt the people of the world?
How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be
spilled on the streets, and people�s houses destroyed over their heads?
Are you pleased with the current condition of the world?
Do you think present policies can continue?
If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns and troop movement
were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries, promotion
of health, combating different diseases, education and improvement of mental
and physical fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation
of employment opportunities and production, development projects and poverty
alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation between disputing states, and
extinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other conflicts, were would the
world be today? Would not your government and people be justifiably proud?
Would not your administration�s political and economic standing have been
stronger?
And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing global
hatred of the American government?
Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone.
If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (PBUH) were
with us today, how would they have judged such behavior? Will we be given a
role to play in the promised world, where justice will become universal and
Jesus Christ (PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us?
My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of
the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of
millions of Moslems and millions of people who follow the teachings of Moses
(PBUH). All divine religions share and respect one word and that is
�monotheism� or belief in a single God and no other in the world.
The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all followers of divine
religions and says: [3.64] Say: O followers of the Book! come to an equitable
proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that)
we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take
others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness
that we are Muslims. (The Family of Imran)
Mr. President,
According to divine verses, we
have all been called upon to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine
Prophets.
�To worship a God which is above all
powers in the world and can do all He pleases.� �the Lord which knows that
which is hidden and visible, the past and the future, knows what goes on in the
Hearts of His servants and records their deeds.�
�The Lord who is the possessor of
the heavens and the earth and all universe is His court� �planning for the
universe is done by His hands, and gives His servants the glad tidings of mercy
and forgiveness of sins� �He is the companion of the oppressed and the enemy of
oppressors� �He is the Compassionate, the Merciful� �He is the recourse of the
faithful and guides them towards the light from darkness� �He is witness to the
actions of His servants� �He calls on servants to be faithful and do good
deeds, and asks them to stay on the path of righteousness and remain steadfast�
�Calls on servants to heed His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds� �A
bad ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life of this world and
disobey Him and oppress His servants� and �A good end and eternal paradise
belong to those servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their
lascivious selves.�
We believe a return to the
teachings of the divine prophets is the only road leading to salvation. I have
been told that Your Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (PBUH) and
believes in the divine promise of the rule of the righteous on Earth.
We also believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great prophets of the
Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has been
quoted in Koran as well: [19.36] And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord,
therefore serve Him; this is the right path. Marium
Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all divine messengers.
The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and
the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and give
dignity to all His servants. He has given greatness to Humans.
We again read in the Holy
Book: �The Almighty God sent His prophets with miracles and clear signs to
guide the people and show them divine signs and purify them from sins and
pollutions. And He sent the Book and the balance so that the people display
justice and avoid the rebellious�.
All of the above verses can be seen,
one way or the other, in the Good Book as well.
Divine prophets have promised:
The day will come when all humans
will congregate before the court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are
examined. The good will be directed towards Haven and evildoers will meet
divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day, but it will not
be easy to calculate the actions of rulers, because we must be answerable to
our nations and all others whose lives have been directly or indirectly
affected by our actions.
All prophets, speak of peace
and tranquility for man -- based on monotheism, justice and respect for human
dignity.
Do you not think that if all
of us come to believe in and abide by these principles, that is, monotheism,
worship of God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the Last
Day, we can overcome the present problems of the world -- that are the result
of disobedience to the Almighty and the teachings of prophets � and improve our
performance?
Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees peace,
friendship and justice?
Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are
universally respected?
Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the teachings
of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience
to the Almighty and His prophets?
Mr. President,
History tells us that
repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God has entrusted the fate of
men to them. The Almighty has not left the universe and humanity to their own
devices. Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of
governments. These tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events
are determined by Him.
Can one deny the signs of change in the world today?
Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of ten years ago? Changes
happen fast and come at a furious pace.
The people of the world are not happy with the status quo and pay little heed
to the promises and comments made by a number of influential world leaders. Many
people around the world feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity
and war and do not approve of and accept dubious policies.
The people are protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the
have-nots and the rich and poor countries.
The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.
The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural
foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed with
the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no faith in
international organizations, because their rights are not advocated by these
organizations.
Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the
ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight
can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and
thoughts of the Liberal democratic systems.
We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main
focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and
the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My
question for you is: �Do you not want to join them?�
Mr. President,
Whether we like it or not, the world
is gravitating towards faith in the
Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.
Vasalam Ala Man Ataba�al
hoda
Mahmood Ahmadi-Nejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran