For those interested in seeing Iran’s coverage of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s demand for an apology from the Obama Administration for past American policy toward his nation, we have packaged the text from the state-controlled Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting along with the video and translation of his comments, provided by the Middle East Media Research Institute.
After some weeks of what appeared to be overtures toward the Obama Administration, it seems the Iranian regime has chosen to change its tone – although traces of conciliation can be detected even in this diatribe.
So what, according to Ahmadinejad, would it take for Iran and the United States to resume normal diplomatic relations? Aside from speaking more nicely than Bush and ‘relinquishing unconditional support for the illegitimate, child-killing Zionist regime,’ Ahmadinejad suggests that an apology would go a long way. An apology for what, you might ask? The Iranian president says in small part:
“America held us back for 25 years, ushering in poverty and illiteracy in our nation … They backed a despotic ruler (the Shah) and stood against the nation’s call for independence and committed other crimes, such as: conducting espionage in their embassy; attacking Tabas City; making a coup attempt; supporting bands of terrorists; supporting (Iraqi dictator) Saddam Hussein and assisting him in the eight-year war he imposed on Iran; shooting down Iran Air Flight 655 (290 passengers were murdered).”
January 28, 2009
Islamic Republic of Iran – Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting – Original Article (English)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that the new U.S. administration’s spoken motto of “change” is a welcomed one, adding, however, that claims about a change in U.S. policy will only be proven when words are translated into action.
President Ahmadinejad was speaking to people in Kermanshah Province on Wednesday, where he was following up on development projects he approved during a visit to the province last year.
“In light of the fact that the policies of the Bush Administration were immoral, inhuman and against the teachings of the Divine Messengers, the stated desire for change of the new American government is welcomed” the President said. “But change can be of only two kinds, substantial or tactical. If it is the latter form, only the rhetoric changes,” the President noted, adding that if this “change” proved to be merely tactical, other nations would quickly stand against the new policies.
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