Iranian President Ahmadinejad's Speech in Geneva Before the World Conference Againt Racism Durban Review II

President Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran speaking at the World Conference Against Racism Durban Review II in Geneva. The racist states walked out during his address. The majority stayed and cheered his remarks.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Tuesday, 28 April 2009

FULL TEXT OF AHMADINEJAD'S GENEVA SPEECH

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful…
[Protestors in clown costumes escorted out by security] May
he bestow upon his prophets… Praise be upon Allah, the
Almighty, who is just, kind, and compassionate. May he
bestow upon his prophets his blessings and his grace from
Adam to Noah; Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and His last
prophet, Mohammed. Peace be upon them all who are the
harbingers of monotheism, fraternity, love … [Applause] …
human dignity and justice.

Mr. Chairman. I call upon all distinguished guests to
forgive these ignorant people.

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise
be upon Allah, the Almighty, who is just, kind, and
compassionate, and praise and salutations of the Almighty
God to the great prophet. May he bestow upon [us] His
blessings, His grace. We thank the Almighty God. Praise be
upon him who is just and who is compassionate. And the
salutations and regards of Allah to his prophets, from Noah
to Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and his last prophet
Mohammed. Peace be upon them all who are the harbingers of
monotheism, fraternity, love, human dignity, and justice.

Mr. Chairman. Honorable Secretary General of the United
Nations. Madam High Commissioner. Ladies and Gentleman. We
have gathered here in the follow up to the Durban
conference against racism and racial discrimination to work
out practical mechanisms for our holy and humanitarian
campaigns. Over the last centuries, humanity has gone
through tremendous suffering and pain. In the middle ages,
thinkers and scientists were sentenced to death. It was
then followed by a period of slavery and slave trade, when
innocent people in millions were captivated and separated
from their families and loved ones, to be taken to Europe
and America under worse conditions; the dark period that
also experienced occupations, lootings, and massacres of
innocent people.

Many years passed by before nations rose up and fought for
their liberty and freedom, and they paid a high price. They
lost millions of lives to expel the occupiers and proclaim
their independence. However, it did not take long that the
coercive powers imposed two wars in Europe which also
plagued a part of Asia and Africa. Those horrific wars
claimed about 100 million lives and left behind massive
devastation. Had lessons been learned from the occupations,
horrors, and crimes of those wars, there would have been a
ray of hope for the future. The victorious powers called
themselves the conquerors of the world while ignoring or
downtreading the rights of other nations by the imposition
of oppressive laws and international arrangements.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us take a look at the U.N.
Security Council, which is one of the legacies of World War
II and World War I. What was the logic behind their
granting themselves the veto rights? How can such a logic
comply with humanitarian or spiritual values? Could it be
in conformity with the recognized principles of justice,
equality before law, love, and human dignity? [Applause] Or
rather, with discrimination, injustice, violation of human
rights, or humiliation of the majority of nations and
countries?

That Council is the highest decision-making world body for
safeguarding the international peace and security. How can
we expect the realization of justice and peace when
discrimination is legalized and the origin of law is
dominated by coercion and force rather than by justice and
the right?

Coercion and arrogance is the origin of oppression and
wars. Although today many proponents of racism condemn
racial discrimination in their words and in their slogans,
a number of powerful countries have been authorized to
decide for other nations based on their own interests and
at their own discretions. And they can easily ridicule and
violate all laws and humanitarian values, as they have done
so.

Following World War II, they resorted to military
aggression to make an entire nation homeless on the pretext
of Jewish sufferings. And they sent migrants from Europe,
the United States, and other parts of the world in order to
establish a totally racist government in the occupied
Palestine… [Delegates walk out in protest. Applause] And in
fact in compensation for the dire consequences of racism in
Europe… Okay, please. Thank you. And in fact in
compensation for the dire consequences of racism in Europe,
they helped bring to power the most cruel and repressive,
racist regime in Palestine. [Applause]

The Security Council helped stabilize this occupation
regime and supported it in the past 60 years, giving them a
free hand to continue their crimes. It is all the more
regrettable that a number of Western governments and the
United States have committed themselves to defend those
racist perpetrators of genocide whilst the awakened
conscience and free minded people of the world condemn
aggression, brutalities and bombardments of civilians in
Gaza. They have always been supportive or silent against
their crimes. And before that, they have always been silent
with regard to their crimes.

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, what are the
root causes of U.S. attacks against Iraq or invasion of
Afghanistan? [Shouts from audience] What are the root
causes of U.S. attacks against Iraq invasion of
Afghanistan? Was the motive behind the invasion of Iraq
anything other than the arrogance of the then U.S.
administration and the mounting pressures on the part of
the owner of wealth and power to expand their sphere of
influence, seeking the interests of giant arms
manufacturing companies, affecting a noble culture with
thousands of years of historical background, eliminating
potential and practical traits of Muslim countries against
the useful Zionist regime, or to control and plunder energy
resources of the Iraqi people? Why, indeed almost a million
people were killed and injured and a few more millions were
displaced and became homeless. Why, indeed the Iraqi people
have suffered enormous losses amounting to hundreds of
billions of dollars. And why was hundreds of billions of
dollars imposed on the American people and its allies as a
result of these military actions? Wasn’t the military
action against Iraq planned by the Zionists and their
allies in the then U.S. administration in complicity with
the arms manufacturing companies and the owner of the
wealth?

The invasion of Afghanistan; restore peace, security, and
economic well being in this country. The United States and
its allies not only have failed to contain [?] in
Afghanistan, but also the illicit cultivation of narcotics
multiplied in the course of their presence. The basic
question is: What was the responsibility of the job of the
then U.S. administration and its allies? Did it represent
the world? Have they been mandated by them? Have they been
authorized on behalf of the people of the world to
interfere in all parts of the globe? And of course mostly
in our region aren’t these measures a clear example of
egocentrism, racism, discrimination, or infringement upon
the dignity and independence of nations?

Ladies and gentlemen, who are responsible for the current
global economic crisis? Where did the crisis start from?
From Africa? From Asia? Or was it first from the United
States, then spreading to Europe and to their allies? For a
long time they imposed inequitable economic regulations. By
their political power on the international economy they
imposed a financial and a monetary system without a proper
international oversight mechanism on nations and
governments that played no role in the repressive trends or
policies. They have not even allowed their people to
oversee of monitor their financial policies. They introduce
all laws and regulations in defiance to all moral values
only to protect the interests of the owners of wealth and
power. They further presented a definition of market
economy and competition that denied many of the economic
opportunities that could be available to other countries of
the world. They even transferred their problems to others
whilst the wave of crisis lashed back, plaguing their
economies with thousands of billions of dollars in budget
deficits. And today, they are injecting hundreds of
billions of cash from the pockets of their own people into
the failing banks companies and financial institutions
making the situation more and more complicated for the
economy and their people. They are simply thinking about
maintaining power and wealth. They couldn’t care any less
about the people of the world and even about their own
people.

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, racism is rooted in
the lack of knowledge concerning the truth of human
existence as the selected creature of God. It is also the
product of his deviation from the true path of human life
and the obligations of mankind in the world of creation.
Failing to consciously worship God, not being able to think
about the philosophy of life or the path to perfection that
are the main ingredients of divine and humanitarian values,
have restricted the horizon of human outlook, making
transient and limited interests a yardstick for his
actions.

That is why the cells of the Devil’s power took shape and
expanded its realm of power by depriving others from
enjoying equitable and just opportunities to development.
The result has been the making of an unbridled racism that
is posing the most serious threat against the international
peace and has hindered the way for building peaceful
coexistence in the entire world. Undoubtedly, racism is the
symbol of ignorance which has deep roots in history. And it
is indeed a sign of frustration in the development of human
society. It is therefore crucially important to trace the
manifestations of racism in situations or in societies
where ignorance or lack of knowledge prevails in the
societies. This increasing general awareness and
understanding towards the philosophy of human existence is
the principle struggle against such manifestations; which
is the key to understanding the truth that humankind
centers on the creation of the universe, and the key to a
return to the spiritual and moral values, and finally the
inclination to worship God the Almighty. The international
community must initiate collective moves to raise awareness
in the afflicted societies where the ignorance of racism
still prevails so as to bring to a halt the spread of these
malicious manifestations.

Dear friends, today the human community is facing a kind of
racism which has tarnished the image of humanity in the
beginning of the third millennium. The world Zionism
personifies racism that falsely resorts to religion and
abuses religious sentiments to hide their hatred and ugly
faces. However, it is of great importance to bring into
focus the political goals of some of the world powers and
those who control huge economic resources and interests in
the world. They mobilize all their resources, including
their economic and political influence and world media to
render support in vain to the Zionist regime, and
maliciously endeavor to diminish the indignity and disgrace
of this regime. This is not simply a question of ignorance,
and one cannot conquer this ugly phenomenon through
cultural campaigns. Efforts must be made to put an end to
the abuse by Zionists and their supporters of political and
international means and respect of the will and aspirations
of nations. Governments must be encouraged and supported in
their fights aimed at eradicating this barbaric racism
[applause] and to move towards reforming … [applause] … the
current international mechanisms.

There is no doubt that you are all aware of the
conspiracies of some powers and Zionist circles against the
goals and objectives of this conference. Unfortunately,
there has been literature and statements in support of
Zionism and their crimes, and it is the responsibility of
honorable representatives of nations to disclose these
campaigns which run counter to humanitarian values and
principles. It should be recognized that boycotting such a
session as an outstanding international capacity is a true
indication of supporting the blatant example of racism.

In defending human rights it is primarily important to
defend the rights of all nations to participate equally in
all important international decision making processes
without the influence of certain world powers. And secondly
it is necessary to restructure the existing international
organizations and their respective arrangements. Therefore
this conference is a testing ground and the world public
opinion today and tomorrow will judge our decisions and our
actions [applause].

Mr. President. Mr President. Ladies and gentlemen. The
world is going through fundamental changes, radical
fundamental changes. Power relations have become so weak
and fragile. The sounds of cracks in the pillars of world
oppression can now be heard. Major political and economic
structures are at the brink of collapse. Political and
security crises are on the rise. The worsening crises in
the world economy for which there can be seen no bright
prospect, amply demonstrate the rising tide of far reaching
global changes. I have repeatedly emphasized the need to
change the wrong direction in which the world has been
managed today. And I have also warned of the dire
consequences of any delay in this crucial responsibility.

Now, in this [?] and valuable event, I would like to
announce here to all leaders thinkers, and to all nations
of the world present in this meeting and those who have a
hunger for peace and economic well being, that the
management, the inequitable and unjust management of the
world, is now at the end of the road. This deadlock was
inevitable since the logic of this imposed management was
oppressive.

The logic of collective management of world affairs is
based on noble aspirations which centers on human beings
and the supremacy of the Almighty God. Therefore it defies
any policy or plan which goes against the interest of
nations. Victory of the right over the wrong and
establishment of a just world system have been promised by
the Almighty God and his messengers and it has been a
shared goal of all human beings from different societies
and generations in the course of history. Realization of
such a future depends upon the knowledge of the creation
and the belief in the hearts of all the faithful
[applause]. The making of a global society is in fact the
accomplishment of a noble held in the establishment of a
common global system that will be run with the
participation of all nations of the world in all major and
basic decision making processes and the definite route to
this sublime goal. Scientific and technical capacities as
well as communication technologies have created a common
and wider spread understanding of the world society and has
provided the necessary ground for a common system.

Now it is incumbent upon all intellectuals, thinkers, and
policy makers in the world to carry out their historical
responsibility with firm belief to this definite route, I
also want to lay emphasis on the fact that the western
liberalism and capitalism, like communism, has reached to
its end since it has failed to perceive the truth of the
world and human[kind] as it is. It has imposed its own
goals and directions on human beings with no regard for
human and divine values, justice, freedom, love, or
brotherhood; has based the living on the intensive
competition securing individual and collective material
interests.

Now we must learn from the past by initiating collective
efforts by dealing with present challenges, and in this
connection and in closing my remarks I wish to draw your
kind attention to two important points. One: It is
absolutely possible to improve the existing situation in
the world. However, it must be noted that it could only be
achieved through the cooperation of all countries in order
to get the best out of existing capacities and resources in
the world. My participation in this conference is because
of my conviction of these important issues, as well as to
our common responsibility to defending the rights of
nations /vis-a-vis/ the sinister phenomenon of racism, and
being with you, the thinkers of the world. [Applause]

Two: Mindful of the inefficacy of the current international
political, economic, and security systems on the world
scene, it is necessary to focus on the divine and
humanitarian values and by referring to the true definition
of human beings, and based upon justice and respect for the
rights of all people in all parts of the world, and by
acknowledging the past wrongdoings in the past dominant
management of the world undertake collective measures to
reform the existing structures. In this respect, it is
crucially important to reform the structure of the Security
Council, including the elimination of the discriminatory
veto right … [applause] … and change the current world and
financial monetary systems. It is evident that lack of
understanding on the urgency for change is equivalent to
the much heavier costs of delay.

Dear friends, be aware that to move in the direction of
justice and human dignity is like the national rapid flow
in the current of a river. Let us not forget the essence of
love and affection, the promised bright future of human
beings is a great asset that will serve our purpose in
keeping us together to build a new world and to make the
world a better place full of love fraternity and blessings;
a world devoid of poverty and hatred, [inaudible] the
increasing blessings of God Almighty and the righteous
management of the perfect human being. Let us all join
hands in amity in playing our share in the fulfillment such
a decent new world.

I thank you Mr. President, Secretary General, and all
distinguished participants for having the patience to
listen to me. Thank you very much.

Posted by Sukant Chandan at 17:59