POINT
OF VIEW
The
Sorts Of Words We’ve Been Asked To Fear...
Noble Americans,
Were we not faced with the activities of the US administration
in this part of the world and the negative ramifications of those
activities on the daily lives of our peoples, coupled with the
many wars and calamities caused by the US administration as well
as the tragic consequences of US interference in other countries;
Were the American people not God-fearing, truth-loving, and justice-seeking,
while the US administration actively conceals the truth and impedes
any objective portrayal of current realities; And if we did not
share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and
human dignity and integrity; Then, there would have been little
urgency to have a dialogue with you.
While Divine providence has placed Iran and the United States
geographically far apart, we should be cognizant that human values
and our common human spirit, which proclaim the dignity and exalted
worth of all human beings, have brought our two great nations
of Iran and the United States closer together.
Both our nations are God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking,
and both seek dignity, respect and perfection. Both greatly value
and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion,
empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice
and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors
and bullies.
We are all inclined towards the good, and towards extending a
helping hand to one another, particularly to those in need. We
all deplore injustice, the trampling of peoples' rights and the
intimidation and humiliation of human beings. We all detest darkness,
deceit, lies and distortion, and seek and admire salvation, enlightenment,
sincerity and honesty. The pure human essence of the two great
nations of Iran and the United States testify to the veracity
of these statements.
Noble Americans,
Our nation has always extended its hand of friendship to all other
nations of the world. Hundreds of thousands of my Iranian compatriots
are living amongst you in friendship and peace, and are contributing
positively to your society. Our people have been in contact with
you over the past many years and have maintained these contacts
despite the unnecessary restrictions of US authorities.
As mentioned, we have common concerns, face similar challenges,
and are pained by the sufferings and afflictions in the world...
You know well that the US administration has persistently provided
blind and blanket support to the Zionist regime, has emboldened
it to continue its crimes, and has prevented the UN Security Council
from condemning it. Who can deny such broken promises and grave
injustices towards humanity by the US administration?
Governments are there to serve their own people. No people wants
to side with or support any oppressors. But regrettably, the US
administration disregards even its own public opinion and remains
in the forefront of supporting the trampling of the rights of
the Palestinian people...
The legitimacy, power and influence of a government do not emanate
from its arsenals of tanks, fighter aircrafts, missiles or nuclear
weapons. Legitimacy and influence reside in sound logic, quest
for justice and compassion and empathy for all humanity. The global
position of the United States is in all probability weakened because
the administration has continued to resort to force, to conceal
the truth, and to mislead the American people about its policies
and practices.
My questions are the following:
Is there not a better approach to governance? Is it not possible
to put wealth and power in the service of peace, stability, prosperity
and the happiness of all peoples through a commitment to justice
and respect for the rights of all nations, instead of aggression
and war?
We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent.
But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction
and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents? If that
were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved?
The sad experience of invading Iraq is before us all.
What has blind support for the Zionists by the US administration
brought for the American people? It is regrettable that for the
US administration, the interests of these occupiers supersedes
the interests of the American people and of the other nations
of the world. What have the Zionists done for the American people
that the US administration considers itself obliged to blindly
support these infamous aggressors? Is it not because they have
imposed themselves on a substantial portion of the banking, financial,
cultural and media sectors?
... To sum up:
It is possible to govern based on an approach that is distinctly
different from one of coercion, force and injustice. It is possible
to sincerely serve and promote common human values, and honesty
and compassion. It is possible to provide welfare and prosperity
without tension, threats, imposition or war. It is possible to
lead the world towards the aspired perfection by adhering to unity,
monotheism, morality and spirituality and drawing upon the teachings
of the Divine Prophets.
Then, the American people, who are God-fearing and followers of
Divine religions, will overcome every difficulty. What I stated
represents some of my anxieties and concerns.
I am confident that you, the American people, will play an instrumental
role in the establishment of justice and spirituality throughout
the world. The promises of the Almighty and His prophets will
certainly be realized, Justice and Truth will prevail and all
nations will live a true life in a climate replete with love,
compassion and fraternity.
The US governing establishment, the authorities and the powerful
should not choose irreversible paths. As all prophets have taught
us, injustice and transgression will eventually bring about decline
and demise. Today, the path of return to faith and spirituality
is open and unimpeded.
We should all heed the Divine Word of the Holy Qur'an... I pray
to the Almighty to bless the Iranian and American nations and
indeed all nations of the world with dignity and success.
from “A Letter To The American People,” meant for
publication in US media, written and broadcast by
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President the Islamic Republic of Iran
November 29, 2006
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