[Vision2020] Iranian President's Letter to Bush

[Bill London]

why is the US administration deliberately provoking Iran?
the legally-elected Iranian president writes a long letter to the US
president (first direct communication in 27 years) and US dismisses the
letter and destroys the opportunity for interaction.
are the US neo-cons still committed to more regime changes in the Mid-east?
how many wars can the US fight at one time?
BL




----- Original Message ----- 
From: <nickgier at adelphia.net>
To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:00 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] Iranian President's Letter to Bush


> SPIEGEL ONLINE - May 10, 2006, 03:09 PM
> URL: http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,415499,00.html
>
> The Iran Crisis
>
> President Ahmadinejad's Letter to George W. Bush
>
> Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written a letter to US President
George W. Bush, hoping to re-open a dialogue that broke off 27 years ago -- 
and ease tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Below is a shortened version
of the letter.
>
> The translation of President Ahmadinejad's letter was kindly provided by
Le Monde.
>
> 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, especially in political forums and amongst 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), the great Messenger of God,
f eel obliged to respect human rights, present liberalism as a civilization
model, announce one's opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and
WMDs, 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... Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs
in one country, it is occupied, around one hundred thousand 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 fifty 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 love ones, their hands stained with the
blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that everyday
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 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 Saddam was supported by the
West.
>
> Mr President,
>
> You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how can theses
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, 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, i.e. 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 sixty years ago such a country did not exist. The
showy 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 WWI 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 six million Jews had been killed.
Six million people that were surely related to at least two 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 rationalised 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 sixty 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 observes have confirmed that this government
represents the electorate. Unbelievingly, they have put the elected
government under pressure and have advised it to recognise 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 suc!
>  h position taken in opposition to the Palestinian government be
reconciled with the values outlined earlier? The people are also saying why
are all UNSC resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?
>
> Mr President,
>
> As you are well aware, I live amongst 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 to 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 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 utilised 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 hard working,
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, transformation of an Embassy into
a headquarters supporting the!
>   activities of those opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of
pages of documents corroborate 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-à-vis the scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian
nation (just when all Iranians are jubilant and collaborating in their
country's progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer to in
this letter.
>
> Mr President,
>
> Sept. 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 eleven 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 neighbours 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 traumatised !
>  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 a service to the American
people? Is it possible to calculate the damage 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
have 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 raise 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 behaviour, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations,
justice, service to the peopl!
>  e, 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 movements 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 prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph or Jesus
Christ (PBUH) were with us today, how would they have judged such behaviour?
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 Moslems and millions of people who
follow the teachings of Moses (PBUH)!
>  . All divine religions share and respect on word and that is monotheis
> m or belief in a single God and no other in the world.
>
> The holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on an followers of
divine religions and says : [3.64] Say : 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 witne!
>  ss 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 Haven 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
tranquillity 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 wolrd 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
organisations, because their rights are not advocated by these
organisations. 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 gravit!
>  ating towards faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will
prevail over all things.
>
> Vasalam Ala Man Ataba'al hoda,
>
> Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
>
> President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
>
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