President Obama: Ahmadinejad’s Rant Hurt Iran with the World But Won’t Hurt U.S. Diplomatic Efforts
EmailPresident Obama today suggested that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad harmed himself and the Iranian people when he harshly criticized Israel at this week’s United Nations conference on racism in Geneva — though he suggested the rant would not impact his administration’s diplomatic efforts with that country, which the president referred to as "the Islamic Republic."
Ahmadinejad called Israel "the most cruel and repressive racist regime" and said "it is all the more regrettable that a number of Western governments and the United States have committed themselves to defending those racist perpetrators of genocide while the awakened-conscience and free-minded people of the world condemn aggression, brutalities and the bombardment of civilians in Gaza."
The speech prompted dozens of European diplomats in attendance to walk out.
When asked to comment today, President Obama Tuesday said, "Sadly, the rhetoric is not new. This is the kind of rhetoric that we’ve come to expect from President Ahmadinejad. When I said, during the course of the campaign and repeated after the election, that we were serious about engagement with Iran, it was with no illusions. I was very clear that I found many of the statements that President Ahmadinejad made, particularly those direct with — directed at Israel, to be appalling and objectionable."
That said, President Obama noted that "Iran is a very complicated country with a lot of different power centers. The Supreme Leader Khamenei is the person who exercises the most direct control over the policies of the Islamic Republic, and we will continue to pursue the possibility of improved relations and a resolution to some of the critical issues in which there have been differences, particularly around the nuclear issue."
Mr. Obama said the "rhetoric you saw from Ahmadinejad is not helpful; in fact, it is harmful — but not just with respect to the possibility of U.S.-Iranian relations, but I think it actually undermines Iranians’ position in the world as a whole. We weren’t at the conference, and what you saw was a whole host of other countries walking out and that language being condoned by people who may be more sympathetic to the long-term aspirations of the Iranian people. So I think it actually hurts Iran’s position in the world."
The president made his remarks in the Oval Office during a joint press availability with His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, who refrained from offering an opinion on the matter.
– jpt
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Well there you have it… Obama says don’t worry be happy, and so his sheeple will
Posted by: karen | April 21, 2009, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
Of course not. Just like your previous article on the “two-state” solution, there is no assault on Israel that Obama will find problematic.
Obama studied anti-semitism his whole life, with at least 2 decades at the knees of Rev. Wright, along with Louis Farrakhan, and colleague and friend Rashid Khaledi, to the person who solicited on Obama’s behalf, a recommendation letter to get into Harvard, Khalid al-Mansour.
The list is endless. Read Obama’s own books to find someone who supports Israel, there is no one.
Missing from the list are ANY pro-Israel buddies, or close associates.
There is no one on the other side in his past. He associated solely with those wishing the destruction of Israel.
It is no wonder he isn’t bothered by anything Ahmandinejad had to say. Obama is not concerned about damage to Israel in any way shape or form.
Posted by: MNM | April 21, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Obama wants a 2 state solution, and so do most rational people. It is only the zealous Zionists who only care about power and conquest who are disturbing the peace. The Jews have given us a great heritage with religion; but the Zionists have given The State of Israel an appalling reputation. For the Holy Land, this is a terrible legacy.
Posted by: Bob | Apr 21, 2009 2:14:55 PM
—————–
That has been the false image the liberal media projects.
Israel is under assault from missiles, on a daily basis, even though for years there have been countless agreements to end the fighting.
The “roadmap to peace” was performance based. The problem is it is only expected that Israeli’s perform.
In the last prisoner exchange Israel sent home a hundreds of living breathing, boasting, murders of jews and in return received 6 dead bodies.
There was no publicity on this or the daily bombings.
There is media distortion on this issue intended to support just the Hamas/terrorist side. Just as the US media unabashedly supports dems and opposes republicans, the immpression left is overwhelmingly inaccurate.
There is too much to review here. Even Egypt is demanding that Hamas stop smuggling assault missiles and ammo through egypt borders, but this too is unreported.
Israel would be foolish to allow the terrorists to bring their guns and missile launchers even closer by giving up territory.
YOU DO REMEMBER that the last time they gave up some land in a “peace” agreement that is exactly what happened.
As the palestinians/hamas even now continue daily military assaults on Israel why would they be so stupid as to give them a spot to take better aim.
Posted by: MNM | April 21, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
I think the Jews were warned that Obama would turn on them and not be supportive. It just came sooner than expected.
Posted by: Ben | April 21, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
Both Iran and Israel are cruel regimes. One has a theocracy, the other practices apartheid as they steal land. We should not support either.
Posted by: Ben | April 21, 2009, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm
If anyone doubts Obama’s ill intentions towards Israel, ask yourself why we have multiple statements like this on “Holocaust Remembrance Day”
This is no accident that he so disrespects the Holocaust, jews and Israel, with his lack of rebuke to Ahmadinejad, even going so far as to tell us, “it doesn’t matter”.
The quote:
Mr. Obama said the “rhetoric you saw from Ahmadinejad is not helpful; in fact, it is harmful — but not just with respect to the possibility of U.S.-Iranian relations, but I think it actually undermines Iranians’ position in the world as a whole. ”
No where does Obama claim that it undermines Israel and foments Israeli insecurity, promotes anti-semitism and thereby slowing down any hope of peace in the mideast.
He does not appear to believe these statements affect Israel at all in any important sense.
Where is any corresponding statement of respect and support for Israel.
Posted by: Nobama | April 21, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
All of you Political “addicts” need to get a life. Stop letting Cable News and News Analysts with political gamesmanship as a motive run your life and your opinions. Think for yourselves; there is no way you can make the kind of judgements that you make just by listening to a sound bite or reading an article.Don’t be so easily pushed and pulled by people who are just doing what it takes to keep their paychecks; and they keep their viewers high with people who they can hook a ring in their noses.WATCH YOUR NOSE!!
Posted by: glenda | April 21, 2009, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Doesn’t matter? And this from a person who leads a country where hate speech is not tolerated (nor should it be) yet it makes no difference to Obama what a leader is saying or what that leader has said.
Am I missing something?
Posted by: david | April 21, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
President Obama today suggested that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad harmed himself … when he harshly criticized Israel
====
Duh. That’s the idea, isn’t it?! Otherwise, why do you call ‘em terrorists, if they are not willing to use their bodies to harm others?!
It’s more harmful to carefully bow to a King, and to startlingly take a gift that bashes your country from the Communist enthusiast as a prez than Ahmadinejad’s random rants.
Pretend to be smart, yet so clueless on some simple, basic events. Betya, if HRC were the President, Chavez would not even dare to give her that book.
Posted by: skinny dog | April 21, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Cue the conservative “outrage” over another show of “weakness” from our president…
Posted by: matt | April 21, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
Ahmadinejad = Bush = Netanyahu = Cheney = obstacles to world peace. At least two are out of power.
Posted by: Huh | April 21, 2009, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
One of the right-wing haters posted “…lack of rebuke to Ahmadinejad…”
_________________________
WHAT? did you miss the direct quote from President Obama: “I was very clear that I found many of the statements that President Ahmadinejad made, ESPECIALLY THOSE DIRECTED AT ISRAEL,to be appalling and objectionable.”
Posted by: EdDoc80 | April 21, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Stop the nonsense Haters. Iran’s Im-a-nut-job is a blathering fool and Obama knows it. He also knows there is more to Iran than this crackpot so he isn’t going to cut off the chance to sit down with the whacko and see how far he can get with the rest of the Iranian power brokers. Get a grip with your “appeasement” rhetoric. Obama knows what he’s doing. And he isn’t anti-Israel. He has an Orthodox Jew for his Chief of Staff and you claim he’s anti-Israel?? You people are ridiculous!!
Posted by: geecee | April 21, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
This problem of Palestinian subjugation to Israel occupation is the seed for an unstable polarized world including the Middle East. The occupation conditions has created moral and leadership risks for the Unuted States.
In Hague meeting, Iranian officials offered to cooperate with the USA. We hope this cooperation between USA and Iran would continue to the other tension areas of the Middle East. Iran in the past had stated that the affairs of the Palestinians relation with Israel are basically a Palestinians. Many expect that Iran would not reject a reasonable break through between Washington and Israel over the Palestinians home state. However; many suggest that any resolution about Palestinian state would be a non-starter with Israel. Israel has used Iran as diversion away from creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Posted by: Saint Michael Traveler | April 21, 2009, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
What do you want? Do you want the President to throw an angry fit, perhaps send the air force, or armed troops into Iran to express his outrage? I think you need to think more deeply about what you say. I’m still trying to figure out why most of you put a negative spin on anything the President does.
Ahmadinejad seems to be able to push your buttons. I’m glad you don’t have to decide how to deal with him.
Posted by: George | April 21, 2009, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Iranian election is in June. Hopefully, Iranians will wise up. Amadinejhad has tanked their economy and trashed their standing in the world. It will be a good day for Iran and the world when this fruitcake gets the boot.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | April 21, 2009, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
Israel really has nothing left to lose-by being decoupled so to speak from the USA that now donates eight million to Hamas-there is little left for them to be interested in with regards to what Obama can do for them.
By that same token Obama will have just that much less influence over Israel.
This could free Israel up to finally hit the Iranian and other entities ultimately interested in Israel’s demise so hard that they don’t come back.
The trouble has been before now that Israel has always been forced to heel or has been reined in because of the fact that it had a client state relationship with the United States.
In opposite the USSR in the past had control of the puppet regimes in the area and could influence Syria and the like to accept certain terms.
So those Super Power relationships acted as a sort of catastrophic cap on tensions in the area, but in the same vein it never allowed the brewing tensions and animosities to be fully resolved.
Obama has boxed the world perhaps into a corner-now.
Interesting times.
Posted by: madawaskan | April 21, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
Sunil | Apr 21, 2009 3:24:59 PM, you said it all! Unfortunately these are fellow humans, and we have to adjust in order to coexist. I’m still trying to understand whether these people are evil or plain stupid.
Posted by: D. | April 21, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
And unfortunately probably particularly short sighted on Obama’s part.
Posted by: madawaskan | April 21, 2009, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Ahmedinejad could nuke Israel and that wouldn’t deter Obama either.
Or bother him.
Posted by: drjohn | April 21, 2009, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
“Ahmedinejad could nuke Israel and that wouldn’t deter Obama either.”
ROFLMAO!
I think a political scientist should study the corollary of right wing rhetoric heating up and with their growing unpopularity.
Posted by: Ryan C | April 21, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Obama wants a “2-state solution”. The Israeli gov’t wants “peace” within the context of a 2-state solution.
That’s an important difference.
Israel is not willing to withdraw from the West Bank only to have it used as a launching pad for rocket attacks and the next round of Palestinian demands.
Posted by: zywotkowitz | April 21, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
president Ahmedinejadi has expressed what most of the people in the mid-eastren hemisphere feel. The oppression of the Plastenian people and the crimes committed by the Israeli gov’t toward these unfortunate people is something that any human with an once of moral in his mind should say it loadly.Give the Palestinian people back their rights and land and united states will not have any more nightmares.
Posted by: ahmed | April 21, 2009, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Who has killed more civilians in the last say 100 years, 50 years, 20 years? USA? Israel? Iran? I don’t believe it is Iran for either of the three time frames.
Posted by: Dan | April 21, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
zywotkowitz – Israel wants peace? As they continue to erect more checkpoints, expand settlements, increase the number of settlers, and divert the water from the Jordan away from the Palestinians to their settlements? Who are you kidding really? Maybe the rockets are justified.
Posted by: Dan | April 21, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
A lot of conservatives are in trouble… they don’t know how else to criticize Obama. They want him to be belligerent, rude and make knee-jerk decisions. I’d bet they’d be the first ones to turn around and accuse him of being like Bush. His consistency is killing their rhetoric. I wonder how long they can keep this up before they go insane.
Listen up conservatives… Obama will never play your game. You will continue to be surprised by his behavior. I guess “change has [really] come to America” for the better.
Posted by: John | April 21, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
I think what the president of Iran said was absolutely true. 6000 NGO’s said it also. And at the conference, was just the exact right place to say it. It should also be said at the UN General Assembly. Nations that abstain from this conference should be labelled ‘Racist’ The whole world knows now. And the world got a great pre-view just on Christmas of last year.
22 days of visible proof.
More proof ?
Google Earth, ‘GAZA’, and have a brouse about the area. You will not beleive your lying eyes.
All in all it’s justa nother brick in th…..
Posted by: mick | April 21, 2009, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm
Mr President how did Ahmadinejad’s
rant hurt him and Iran?
Are you going to scold him and send
him to bed without his supper?
The rant and the continuation of
Irans nuclear program are proof
positive that you can’t negotiate
with a country or leader who is
unwilling to give up
something(their nuclear program) for
economic assistance from the U.S. and
our European allies!
So far Obama’s Blah, Blah, Blah
foreign policy is a bust!
Posted by: reaganfan | April 21, 2009, 11:33 pm 11:33 pm
Ahmadinejad told the truth. Whether you like him or not, the attack on Gaza was inexcusable and awful. Those of us who cannot be honest with the fact that innocent people were killed by Israel in
Gaza are not being truthful. So what is world leaders left the meeting. Someone had to tell the world loud and clear that what transpired in GAZA was a shameless exercise of power over the helpless who restriced to a tiny swath of land that is guarded and sequestured
by Israel. Israel has the authority to block off food an aid to Gaza. Israel controls Gaza’s air space.
Racism is racism whether you are Jewish
live in Gaza are black ir whie.
Posted by: clarity | April 22, 2009, 2:38 am 2:38 am
It is a shame that such a great nation as Iran must suffer under such an inept set of leaders. Let’s hope Iranians can free themselves of the villanous mullahs and elect a modern and tolerant government like Turkey.
Posted by: Rocky | April 22, 2009, 11:35 am 11:35 am
Dan: Iran is a country of 75 million people who cannot voluntarily leave. We know how many thousands of people Saddam secretly killed and buried in mass-graves. What makes you think Iran is any different. Who knows how many innocent civillians they have killed. Its just like WMD we have no idea if or if not. Only they know.
Posted by: omgnoway | April 22, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
Iran and Iranian people are no different from US and American people in the fact that they don’t like any other country (including US) to tell them what they can have and what they can’t. I am sure US wouldn’t like it if Russia or China tell US to not have nuclear power plants.
Posted by: Joseph | April 26, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
Obama’s efforts to have a better relationship with Iran has not been succesfull yet because of an stupidity he committed in following what stupid George Bush did which was signing sanctions against Iran.You can’t do a bad thing to someone and then tell him let’s be friend.Obama has the responsibility to right what other presidents did wrong.US has done a lot of bad things to Iranian people. It will be really hard for them to forget unless Obama does something honest. go back to the reasons they have and please them for each one of those.
Posted by: Joseph | April 26, 2009, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm