Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Ahmadinejad speech at the Durbin Racism Conference 4/20/2009

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke yesterday at the Durbin Conference, news media around the world reported the walkout, with a quote or two supporting the reason for the walkout. But as usual, yours truly wishes to report what was actually said. It's true that the main part of the speech was a diatribe against the long history of oppression in the world, pretty much from the institution of Christianity forward. Ahmadinejad feels that it is important to acknowledge this oppression, and reform our international political and financial institutions before we can be free to eliminate racism. In this way, the action part of his program sounds reminiscent of what we have heard from the pro-peace wing of the American Libertarian Party, although the LP would concern themselves much less with international issues.

I have transcribed the English translation of the last, positive, part of his speech below, since, while everyone may not agree with it, it is an important view about how collective will can lead to a better world, and a plea for peace. I have included the entire video, demonstrations and all. If you read my transcription first, you'll gain better insight into the purpose and significance to the disruptions on the video.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, the world is going through fundamental changes. Rapid fundamental changes. How the 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 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 august and 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, economic well-being, that the (in)equitable and (in)just management of the world is 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 almighty God, therefore, it defies any policy or plan which goes against the well-being of nations.

Victory of the right over the wrong, and establishment of a just world system have 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 creation and a belief in the hajj (gathering) 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 making processes, and the major proof of this sublime goal, scientific and technical capacities, as well as communication technologies have created a common and wider-spread 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 root, I also want to lay emphasis that, the western liberalism and capitalism, like communism, has reached to its end, and since it has failed to perceive the world and humanity as it is. It has imposed its own goals and directions on human beings with no regard for human and divine values, justice, freedom, love, or brotherhood, has based the living on an intensive confrontation, secure individual and collective material interest.

Now we must learn from the past by initiating collective efforts in dealing with present challenges, and in this connection, and in closing my remarks, I wish to draw your kind attention to two important points.

One, it is absolutely possible to improve the existing situation in the world. However, it must be noted that this could only be 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 all nations vis a vis the sinister phenomenon of racism, and being with you, the thinkers of the world.

Two, Mindful of the efficacy of the current international, political and economic security systems on the world scene, it is necessary to focus on the divine and humanitarian values, and by referring to the true definition of human beings, and based upon justice, and respect for the rights of all people, in all parts of the world, and by acknowledging the past wrongdoings 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’s financial and monetary systems. It is evident that lack of understanding of the urgency for change is equivalent to the much heavier cost of delay.

Dear friends, beware that to move in direction of justice and dignity is like the natural and rapid flow of a river’s current. Let us not forget the essence of love and affection, the promised bright future of human beings is a great asset that may serve our purpose in keeping us together to build a new world, and to make it a better place, full of love, fraternity and blessings, a world devoid of poverty and hatred, meriting the increasing blessings of God almighty, and the righteous managing of the perfect human being.

Let us all join hands in amity in playing our share in fulfillment of such a decent,
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.

I would love to hear from anyone who speaks Farsi, to revise my transcript, since it is only based on a real time translation at the conference.

It will be interesting to evaluate how much Ahmadinejad's influence multiplies through this conference and in the future. What we saw in the demonstrations yesterday, was the the sides are definitely set and divided, with America, Europe and Israel on one side and most other nations on the other. In a small sense, this is the neoconservative's dream. To isolate all muslim nations against the "western world". However, it is not being accomplished neatly, although the liberal media is doing all they can to block out the Ahmadinejad's actual point of view. I'll be reporting on the first part of his speech tomorrow, and perhaps have a chance to comment in more depth.

This is the link to the entire video: http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/conferences/DurbanConference/2009/durban090420pm1-eng.rm?start=00:05:30&end=00:39:30

Here is a link to the page the video was on: http://un.org/webcast/durbanreview/archive.asp?go=090420

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