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Prior to his appearance at Columbia University today, the president of Iran gave an electronic speech and Q&A at the National Press Club (NPC).

The guest failed to give straight, yes-or-no answers. He obfuscated, tergiversated and replied in mini-speeches. The NPC has hosted many politicians, so this mode of response should not have been a shock.

Of course, all of the bugaboo questions were addressed:

• Why should he meet with Holocaust* survivors; what does any past European disaster have to do with a current, illegitimate entity in the Middle East that is discriminating against, imposing its will upon, imprisoning and killing in their beds members of a native population that has been there forever?
• Iran, with on-site, UN monitoring, is exploring the non-lethal use of nuclear energy; but, what would be so different if it were joining the world’s Nuclear Club? Nuclear war is passé anyhow. The two nuclear giants managed to settle the world’s potentially greatest danger without resorting to mass incineration.
• As to the persecution of adherents to the Bahai religion: The “established” religions are not excluded in Iran; they all worship the same God and speak of peace and brotherhood, do they not? Christians, Jews, Muslims—even Zoroastrians—are protected by Iranian laws. The Bahais are on their own.
• With regard to charges of Iran’s meddling in Iraq: U.S. is the world’s most notorious meddler. There were the pre- and post-Shah interpositions in Iraq, as well as the U.S. support of Saddam Hussein during the prolonged Iran-Iraq War. It would be better for the sake of peace to forget the embarrassing past and concentrate on a constructive future.
• The treatment of women: The women of Iran receive the best treatment in the world. They are respected, encouraged and accepted in all of the professions as doctors, lawyers, educators, etc.

There has been too much death and destruction. Although we may not believe an iota of what is said by the head of any country, cannot we at least practice diplomacy, keeping in mind the Reaganian dictum: “Trust, but verify.”?

*Eleven million souls perished in The Holocaust; six million were Jews.

It is sad and disturbing that the President of Iran refuses to acknowledge the Holocaust. It is also a bit disconcerting for this “Leader” to state publicly that his country does not have homosexuals and that the women of Iran are treated with such great respect. Does President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really believe that Americans, and the world in general, are truly ignorant to the issues and plights that face the Iranian people?? By making such ignorant and callous statements President Ahmadinejad discredits himself from ever being taken seriously for the genuine comments he makes. He raises a valid argument when he states that Israelis are discriminating against and imposing their will upon the Palestinian people. Lest we forget the Israelis confiscated Palestinian property and homes, forced them into refugee camps, and require them to carry identification cards. Now to me, this sounds vaguely familiar of what the Jewish people experienced under the Nazi regime. President Ahmadinejad also raises another valid argument when he states that the US is a meddler in other countries affairs. Did not the US support and put into play the pieces that managed to overthrow the Prime Minister of Iran Mohammad Mosaddeq? Did not the US support the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the war between Iran & Iraq? Did not the US not only support Osama Bin Laden, but provided him with weapons and training at US military schools when he was fighting the Russians in Afghanistan? President Ahmadinejad is fully capable of making forthcoming and genuine statements. He could also be fully capable of being the leader that takes Iran out of the dark ages and into play as a modern country. Alas, he won’t, because he is a victim of his own poisonous venom, and he will merely go down in the history books as another Middle East crazed madman of a leader.