Iranian President Ahmadinejad speaks at Columbia University
{{date|September 25, 2007}}
[[Image:Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Columbia.jpg|thumb|320px|Ahmadinejad addresses the University.{{image credit|1=[http://dan.iella.net Daniella Zalcman]}}]]
Invited to participate in a debate at {{w|Columbia University}} during his visit to [[New York City]] this week to address the [[United Nations]] {{w|United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly}}, [[Iran|Iranian]] president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] engaged University president {{w|Lee Bollinger}} on a number of topics, including his country's human rights record, opinions on Israel and the Holocaust and the role of nuclear weapons and terrorism on the global stage.  The Iranian president's speech was marked by protests, but also drew applause from students.

Bollinger opened the debate addressing critics, stating that "To those who believe that this event should never have happened, that it is inappropriate for the university to conduct such an event, I want to say that I understand your perspective and respect it as reasonable...it is an experiment, as all life is an experiment.  This is the right thing to do and indeed, it is required by the existing norms of free speech"

Bollinger then gave his opening address, turning to Ahmadinejad and stating:

{{Cquote|Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator, and so I ask you, why have {{w|Iranian women|women}}, members of the {{w|Bahá'í Faith}}, {{w|homosexuality|homosexuals}} and so many of our academic colleagues become targets of persecution in your country?" 

"Why do you support well-documented terrorist organizations that continue to strike at peace and democracy in the Middle East, destroying lives and the civil society of the region? Frankly, and in all candor Mr. President, I doubt that you will have the intellectual courage to answer these questions, but your avoiding them will in itself be meaningful to us. I do expect you to exhibit the fanatical mind-set that characterizes what you say and do.}}

After reciting the {{w|Bismillah}} and asking for guidance from God, Ahmadinejad countered that "In Iran, tradition requires that when we invite a person to be a speaker, we actually respect our students and the professors by allowing them to make their own judgment and we don’t think it’s necessary before the speech is even given to come in with a series of claims..."  

Ahmadinejad's most pointed arguments, though, were directed at the administration of George W. Bush.  "They do not respect the privacy of their own people. They tap telephone calls … They create an insecure psychological atmosphere, in order to justify their war-mongering acts in different parts of the world."  

The Iranian president attacked what he considered to be errors of American imperialism.  "By using precise scientific methods and planning, they begin their onslaught on the domestic cultures of nations, which are the result of thousands of years of interaction, creativity and artistic activity. They try to eliminate these cultures in order to strip people of their identity."

Ahmadinejad questioned U.S. nuclear policy.  "Making nuclear, chemical and biological bombs and weapons of mass destruction is yet another result of the misuse of science and research by the big powers."  He added, "Without the cooperation of certain scientists and scholars, we would not have witnessed production of different nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.  Are these weapons to protect global security? What can a perpetual nuclear umbrella achieve for the sake of humanity? If nuclear war is waged between nuclear powers, what human catastrophe will take place?"
[[Image:Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia 12 by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|left|Student Sunsara Taylor saw the event as just an instrument in the larger symphony of American imperialism. {{Image source|[[User:David Shankbone|David Shankbone]]}}]]
In a rebuttal to claims that his country oppressed women and homosexuals, Ahmadinejad responded by claiming "It is wrong for some governments, when they disagree with another government, to...spread lies", pointing to the fact that over 50% of Iranian voters are female, and the two female Vice Presidents. When challenged by Bollinger for {{w|LGBT rights in Iran|Iran's treatment of gays}} he stated that "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country," drawing laughter from the audience. "In Iran we do not have this phenomenon, I don't know who has told you that we have it."  

He framed {{w|Controversies surrounding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad|anchor=Denial of the Holocaust|questioning of the Holocaust}} as stifled academic debate: "Right now, there are a number of European academics who have been sent to prison because they attempted to write about the Holocaust or research it from a different perspective, questioning certain aspects of it," later adding that "you shouldn't ask me why I'm asking questions, you should ask yourselves why you...want to stop. Do you ever take what is known as absolute in physics? We had principles in mathematics that were granted to be absolute for over 800 years, but new science has...gone forward."

The first question from the audience addressed the controversial issue of the leader's position on Israel. Ahmadinejad did not directly respond to the subject of Israel - stating "We love all nations. We love the Jewish people. There are many Jews living in Iran, with peace and security.", and concluded that it was not a question of Israel's right to exist, but of Palestinian self-determination.  

Countering claims that his country supports terrorism, he replied, "We’re a cultured nation. We don’t need to resort to terrorism. We’ve been victims of terrorism ourselves. It’s regrettable that people who argued they are fighting terrorism — instead of supporting the Iranian nation — are supporting the terrorists and then turn the finger at us."

The final question from the audience asked whether Iran would engage in talks with the United States, to which he replied  "If the U.S. government recognizes the rights of the Iranian people, respects all nations and extends a hand of friendship to all Iranians, they will see that Iranians will be among their best friends."

In closing, Ahmadinejad extended gratitude and thanks to the University, and welcomed both students and faculty to attend Iranian universities and give lectures themselves to the students.

{{haveyoursay}}
==Related news==
*{{Wikinews|title=Protests mark Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University|date=September 25, 2007}}

== Sources ==
{{original}}
*{{source|url=http://mnuez.blogspot.com/2007/09/god-bless-lee-bollinger_1953.html
|title=The Complete Video of President Lee Bollinger's Introductory Challenge Regarding President Ahmadinejad (along with an mnuez op-ed piece)
|author
|pub=mnuez
|date=September 25, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20960818/site/newsweek/page/0/
|title=President Ahmadinejad Goes to Columbia
|author=Vivian Salama
|pub=Newsweek
|date=September 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hEZ0y2MP0TPRAtqUV_gR8VT7X0KQ
|title=Quotes by Iran's Ahmadinejad
|author=
|pub=Associated Press
|date=September 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.google.com/news?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&tab=wn&ncl=1120910552&hl=en&btclp=1&scoring=r
|title=Comment by David M. Schizer, Dean, Columbia Law School
|author=David Schizer
|pub=Google News
|date=September 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/protests-at-columbia-over-iran-leaders-speech/#more-951
|title=Iranian Leader, Calling Introductory Remarks Insulting, Addresses Columbia
|author=Sewell Chan
|pub=New York Times
|date=September 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.redstate.com/blogs/ronlewenberg/2007/sep/24/columbia_conservative_alumni_association_statement_on_president_ahmadinejad_speaking_at_columbia
|title=Columbia Conservative Alumni Association Statement on President Ahmadinejad Speaking at Columbia
|author
|pub=RedState.com
|date=September 24, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.911familiesforamerica.org/?p=497
|title=Just shove your wreath, Ahmadinejad
|author=Tim Sumner
|pub=9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America
|date=September 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.debunk911myths.org/?p=35
|title=Ahmadinejad to visit Ground Zero?
|author=
|pub=Debunk 9/11 Myths
|date=September 20, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://michellemalkin.com/2007/09/19/time-to-organize-an-ahmadinejad-welcoming-party/
|title=Time to organize an Ahmadinejad welcoming party?
|author=
|pub=Michelle Malkin
|date=September 19, 2007}}
== External links ==
{{commonscat|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia University 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:New York]]
[[category:New York, New York]]
[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[category:United States]]
[[category:United Nations]]
[[Category:Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]
[[Category:Religion]] 
[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Baha'i]]
[[Category:United Nations General Assembly]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Columbia University]]

[[it:Ahmadinejad parla alla Columbia University; il rettore: "Un crudele dittatore"]]
Ahmadinejad addresses the University.
Invited to participate in a debate at United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad engaged University president  on a number of topics, including his country's human rights record, opinions on Israel and the Holocaust and the role of nuclear weapons and terrorism on the global stage.  The Iranian president's speech was marked by protests, but also drew applause from students.

Bollinger opened the debate addressing critics, stating that "To those who believe that this event should never have happened, that it is inappropriate for the university to conduct such an event, I want to say that I understand your perspective and respect it as reasonable...it is an experiment, as all life is an experiment.  This is the right thing to do and indeed, it is required by the existing norms of free speech"

Bollinger then gave his opening address, turning to Ahmadinejad and stating:

After reciting the  and asking for guidance from God, Ahmadinejad countered that "In Iran, tradition requires that when we invite a person to be a speaker, we actually respect our students and the professors by allowing them to make their own judgment and we don’t think it’s necessary before the speech is even given to come in with a series of claims..."  

Ahmadinejad's most pointed arguments, though, were directed at the administration of George W. Bush.  "They do not respect the privacy of their own people. They tap telephone calls … They create an insecure psychological atmosphere, in order to justify their war-mongering acts in different parts of the world."  

The Iranian president attacked what he considered to be errors of American imperialism.  "By using precise scientific methods and planning, they begin their onslaught on the domestic cultures of nations, which are the result of thousands of years of interaction, creativity and artistic activity. They try to eliminate these cultures in order to strip people of their identity."

Ahmadinejad questioned U.S. nuclear policy.  "Making nuclear, chemical and biological bombs and weapons of mass destruction is yet another result of the misuse of science and research by the big powers."  He added, "Without the cooperation of certain scientists and scholars, we would not have witnessed production of different nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.  Are these weapons to protect global security? What can a perpetual nuclear umbrella achieve for the sake of humanity? If nuclear war is waged between nuclear powers, what human catastrophe will take place?"
Student Sunsara Taylor saw the event as just an instrument in the larger symphony of American imperialism. 
In a rebuttal to claims that his country oppressed women and homosexuals, Ahmadinejad responded by claiming "It is wrong for some governments, when they disagree with another government, to...spread lies", pointing to the fact that over 50% of Iranian voters are female, and the two female Vice Presidents. When challenged by Bollinger for Iran's treatment of gays he stated that "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country," drawing laughter from the audience. "In Iran we do not have this phenomenon, I don't know who has told you that we have it."  

He framed anchor=Denial of the Holocaust|questioning of the Holocaust as stifled academic debate: "Right now, there are a number of European academics who have been sent to prison because they attempted to write about the Holocaust or research it from a different perspective, questioning certain aspects of it," later adding that "you shouldn't ask me why I'm asking questions, you should ask yourselves why you...want to stop. Do you ever take what is known as absolute in physics? We had principles in mathematics that were granted to be absolute for over 800 years, but new science has...gone forward."

The first question from the audience addressed the controversial issue of the leader's position on Israel. Ahmadinejad did not directly respond to the subject of Israel - stating "We love all nations. We love the Jewish people. There are many Jews living in Iran, with peace and security.", and concluded that it was not a question of Israel's right to exist, but of Palestinian self-determination.  

Countering claims that his country supports terrorism, he replied, "We’re a cultured nation. We don’t need to resort to terrorism. We’ve been victims of terrorism ourselves. It’s regrettable that people who argued they are fighting terrorism — instead of supporting the Iranian nation — are supporting the terrorists and then turn the finger at us."

The final question from the audience asked whether Iran would engage in talks with the United States, to which he replied  "If the U.S. government recognizes the rights of the Iranian people, respects all nations and extends a hand of friendship to all Iranians, they will see that Iranians will be among their best friends."

In closing, Ahmadinejad extended gratitude and thanks to the University, and welcomed both students and faculty to attend Iranian universities and give lectures themselves to the students.


category:New York, New York

category:United States
category:United Nations

it:Ahmadinejad parla alla Columbia University; il rettore: "Un crudele dittatore"
New York Iran Politics and conflicts North America Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Religion Islam Baha'i United Nations General Assembly Middle East Nuclear weapons Columbia University