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May 12, 2006
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Middle East May 11,
2006
Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush
The following is a translation of the letter sent in Farsi by Iranian
President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to US President George W. Bush. This
version was
released by United Nations diplomats. The letter was handed by Iranian
Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which then
handed
it to the Americans.
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Mr George Bush, President of the United States of America
For some time now I have been thinking, how one can justify the
undeniable
contradictions that exist in the international arena - which are being
constantly debated, specially in political forums and among 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) [praise be upon
his name], 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 [weapons of mass
destruction], make
war and 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 ... of a ... criminals in a village or city, or convoy,
or 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 100,000 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 50
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 harm's way, taken away from
family
and loved ones, their hands stained with the blood of others,
subjected to so
much psychological pressure that every day 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 [Hussein] 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 ... war on Iran [in the 1980s],
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
[prisoners of war], 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, ie 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 60 years ago such a country did not exist.
The 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 World War I 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 6 million Jews had been
killed. Six
million people that were surely related to at least 2 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.
Hundred of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations,
towns and
villages were destroyed.
This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately
it
has been ongoing for 60 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 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, Muslim 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 observers 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 saying why are all UNSC [United
Nations Security
Council] resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?
Mr President,
As you are well aware, I live among 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 regions is translated into and portrayed as a threat to
the Zionist
regime? Is not scientific R&D [research and development] 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?
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 [of 1979],
transformation of an embassy into a headquarters supporting the
activities of
those opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of
documents
corroborates 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-a-vis
the
scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all
Iranians
are jubilant and collaborating with their country's progress), and
many other
grievances that I will not refer to in this letter.
Mr President,
September 11 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 11 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 climates 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 contrive 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 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 manage 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 administration 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 distinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other conflicts where
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 governments?
Mr President, it is not my intention to distress anyone. If prophets
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 Muslims and millions of people who follow the teachings of
Moses
(PBUH). All divine religions share and respect on 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) "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 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 salvations. 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 serves 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 purity 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 Heaven 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
effected 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 man 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 this
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-Najad President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
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