Re-reporting, editing, compilation by Carolyn Bennett
Western Parochial
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on press day:
Western media helped the U.S., which has amassed thousands of Atomic Bombs, to claim another country might move towards building an A-bomb. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran argues, it has the right to peaceful nuclear technology.
Western Incursion
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi:
“The U.S. is without a doubt after gathering intelligence on the region and especially Iran ‘but they must know that anti-aircraft posts and the powerful Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran are prepared to respond to any aggression with full force and prevent such [reconnaissance] missions from taking place.’”
Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Yadollah Javani:
“Iran has threatened to shut down the key oil shipping passage in the event of a military attack from the United States or Israel. ‘If anything happens in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is closed, the possibility of using this route will be lost for decades and this will be a great tragedy for the global economy. … Enemies of Iran had first targeted the Guards Corps with sanctions, as they know it is one of the main bodies safeguarding and protecting the establishment.’” However, “‘31 years of sanctions had taught Iran to be self-reliant and no amount of sanctions could hinder the country’s growth and progress.’”
Maxim Shevchenko, Head of the Strategic Research Center for Modern World Religion and Politics talking to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA):
“Washington will face defeat in its anti-Iran move. Supporting imposition of the U.S. sanctions against Iran will bear no fruit for Moscow … The Islamic Republic of Iran is a major trade partner of Russia.”
East meets West/West meets East
Iran/U.S. Presidential talks: matters of content, respect
Iranian lawmaker, member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh:
“‘[U.S. President Barack] Obama’s recent remarks about only holding talks with Iran on issues involving Afghanistan show that the U.S. wants to use Iran’s historical influence in Afghanistan to remedy its problems… Americans who are moving targets themselves want to place Iran in front of Taliban forces like a fixed target.… Washington's problems with the Taliban do not concern Iran.’
“‘Tehran [must] present the issues it wants in the form of a package that could include the problems of Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran’s nuclear issue and the 30-year dispute between the two countries.’ The White House proposal for negotiation with Iran about Afghanistan comes after the “White House had earlier rejected a call from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for face-to-face talks with his American counterpart.”
REFLECTIONS OF FIDEL [Castro Ruz]:
A call to the President of the United States
August 4, 2010, Havana
“The Iranians have stated that they will fire 100 rockets against every one of the U.S. and Israeli ships that are blockading Iran, as soon as they inspect any Iranian merchant ship.
“In that way, when Obama gives the order to comply with the Security Council resolution, he will be decreeing the sinking of all the U.S. warships in that area.
“Never before has such a dramatic decision fallen upon a president of the United States. He should have foreseen that.
“On this occasion, for the first time in my life, I am addressing United States President Barack Obama:
- You must know that it is in your hands to offer humanity the only real possibility of peace. Only on one occasion can you make use of your prerogatives by giving the order to fire.
- It is possible that later, on the basis of this traumatic experience, solutions might be found that will not lead us once again to this apocalyptical situation. Everybody in your country, including your worst adversaries of the left or the right, will doubtless be grateful to you, and also the people of the United States, who are not in any way guilty of the situation created.
- I ask you to deign to hear this appeal that I am conveying to you in the name of the Cuban people.
- I understand that a rapid response cannot be expected, nor would you ever give one. Think it through well, consult your specialists, ask your most powerful allies and international adversaries for their opinion on the matter.
- I am not interested in honors or glories. Do it!
- The world really can be liberated from nuclear weapons and also conventional ones.
- The worst of all the variants will be nuclear war, which is already virtually inevitable. PREVENT IT!”
Sources and notes
“‘U.S. seeks to drag Iran into Afghan war,’” August 7, 2010, http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=137828§ionid=351020101
“Iran relocating defense industry,” August 7, 2010, http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=137793§ionid=351020101
“Ahmadinejad: 9/11 scenario dubious,” August, 7, 2010, http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=137815§ionid=351020101
“Russian political expert said on Saturday that the U.S. sanctions on Iran are against international rules and regulations,” August 7, 2010,
http://www.irna.ir/En/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1267552&IdLanguage=3
“Enemies adventurism in Persian Gulf to be a big mistake” Tehran, August 7, IRNA, http://www.irna.ir/En/View/FullStory/?NewsId=1267466&IdLanguage=3
Fidel Castro Ruz August 3, 2010
Translated by Granma International
Reflections of Fidel, http://www.granma.cu/ingles/reflections-i/4agost-reflections.html
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