Protests Await Iranian President In N.Y.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad To Speak At Columbia University, United Nations

(CBS/AP)  Critics of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started protesting even before the hardline leader made his scheduled arrival in New York for planned speeches at a high-profile university and the United Nations that have aroused a storm of opposition.

A group of about 40 elected officials and civic leaders demonstrated Sunday outside Columbia University, where Ahmadinejad was scheduled to speak at a forum on Monday. More protests were to follow on Monday near Columbia and the United Nations, where the Iranian president was to address the General Assembly on Tuesday.

Before leaving Tehran for the United Nations this morning, Ahmendinajad said he welcomed the U.N. as a forum to offer his solutions to the world's problems, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

The Bush Administration says he's the problem, adds Miller, citing his calls for the destruction of Israel, Iran's role in supplying arms to Iraqi insurgents, and his alleged nuclear weapons program.

"This invitation is a slap in the face to all New Yorkers and especially to those families who lost loved ones on Sept. 11 right here in New York City," said David Weprin, a City Council member.

State Assemblyman Dov Hikind added, "He should be arrested when he comes to Columbia University, not invited to speak for God's sake."

Some political leaders and religious groups have said Columbia should not give Ahmadinejad a platform. Among them are the head of the City Council, Christine Quinn, who has said "the idea of Ahmadinejad as an honored guest anywhere in our city is offensive to all New Yorkers."

Columbia canceled a planned Ahmadinejad appearance last year, citing security and logistical reasons. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said there were "efforts to cancel" the upcoming Columbia speech, but the Iranian government was continuing to pursue the program. He did not elaborate other than to say pressure was being brought to bear on the program's sponsors.

Columbia has said Ahmadinejad has agreed to take questions and will be challenged to discuss his views on the Holocaust, Iran's nuclear ambitions and other issues.

Through a spokeswoman's recorded message on a telephone line set up to respond to inquiries about the speech, Columbia President Lee Bollinger said the university's commitment to "understanding the world as it is and as it might be" required engagement at times with "offensive and even odious" beliefs.

"It is a critical premise of freedom of speech that we do not honor the dishonorable when we open a public forum to their expressions. To hold otherwise would make vigorous debate impossible," the message said.

The telephone line was not accepting messages early Sunday, and Columbia representatives did not respond immediately to an e-mail message.

Some Columbia students, even some who plan to rally against Ahmadinejad, have said they support allowing him to speak.

Ahmadinejad said Sunday that the American people are eager to hear different opinions about the world, and he is looking forward to having the chance to voice them during his trip to the United States, Iranian state media reported.

Ahmadinejad said the American people have been denied "correct information," and his visit will give them a chance to hear a different voice, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The United States is a big and important country with a population of 300 million. Due to certain issues, the American people in the past years have been denied correct and clear information about global developments and are eager to hear different opinions," Ahmadinejad was quoted by IRNA as saying.

State-run television also quoted Ahmadinejad before boarding his presidential plane Sunday as saying that the General Assembly was an "important podium" to express Iran's views on regional and global issues.

Ahmadinejad caused a stir earlier this week with a much-criticized request to lay a wreath at the World Trade Center site, an idea that prompted an outcry from politicians and Sept. 11 victims' families. Police denied the request, citing construction and security concerns.

In an interview to air Sunday on the TV news magazine "60 Minutes," Ahmadinejad indicated he would not press the issue but expressed disbelief that the visit to ground zero would offend Americans.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hosseini also appeared dismayed that the request was rejected.

"What kind of damage will the U.S. face?" by Ahmadinejad visiting the site, Hosseini told reporters at his weekly press conference Sunday.

Despite the tensions between Washington and Tehran, many Iranians do not share their president's hostility towards the United States. After the Sept. 11 attacks, hundreds of young Iranians held a series of candlelight vigils in Tehran to express sympathy for the victims.

Ahmadinejad's visit to New York is being debated back home. Some in Iran think his trip is a publicity stunt that hurts Iran's image in the world.

"Many experts believe Ahmadinejad's previous two visits brought no achievement ... rather, it heightened tensions," the reformist daily Etemad-e-Melli, or National Confidence, said in an editorial Sunday.

But conservative lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said it was a good chance for Iran to air its position.

"This trip gives the president a good chance to meet world leaders and inform them of Iran's rightful position," IRNA quoted Boroujerdi as saying.

[twood001]

The Iranian President is willing to take queations from the American People. Let the man speak.

If you recall, Sadam Hussein offered to allow CIA agents into his country to prove he had no weapons of mass destruction in an effort to avoid war but no one cared. And so the warmongering continues.

Despite your views of this man, you have to give it to him for allowing himself to be challenged by his adversaries in the open (unlike Bush).

Let the talks continue in peace in an effort to avoid war.

[micha-el-2009]

He will to National Press Club at 12 EST

[joe7271]

How convenient for CBS 60 Minutes,
From 69 minutes interview with Ahmadinejad they showed only part and pieces that they thought would be damaging toward his cause. This is a Tragedy and a slap in the face of every free and professional Journalist.
It%u2019s a shame that in the biggest democracy in the world, they are still people who would allow themselves to alter and hide the Truth.

[joe7271]

How convenient for CBS 60 Minutes,
From 69 minutes interview with Ahmadinejad they showed only part and pieces that they thought would be damaging toward his cause. This is a Tragedy and a slap in the face of every free and professional Journalist.
It%u2019s a shame that in the biggest democracy in the world, they are still people who would allow themselves to alter and hide the Truth.

[socrates392]

Posted by dmhphils at 12:37 AM : Sep 24, 2007

We''re not your congregation. Go preach somewhere else. Please.

[down-ndirty]

Once upon a time we were friends with Iran, way back in the pre-Eisenhower years. But unlike Truman, Ike "caved" to the British and overthrew the fledgling Iran democracy and installed the "Shah" as dictator. The Iranians hated the Shah, just as Americans would hate to be under a dictatorship.

What most "American sheep" don''t know about history is that the ''new Iranian democracy'' was going to nationalize the oil industry in Iran; they had the right to do that. After all it was their oil. However it would have ruined the British economy, and the Brits prevailed upon, first Truman, then Ike, to do something about it.

Ike implemented ''Operation Ajax'' and the middle east has never been the same.

Research ''Operation Ajax'' and learn why they hate us.

[down-ndirty]

Actually the full interview is already posted to this website; find it on the main page or copy this URL

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/20/60minutes/main3282230.shtml

[down-ndirty]

Do you guys know when they will re-broadcast President Ahmadinejad''''s Kick A.. interview again. I missed it due to work. Please post the rebroadcast time. Thanks.
Posted by Micha-El at 08:55 PM : Sep 23, 2007
_________________________

You can probably read it on this website in a day or two. They usually post them.

You didn''t miss much, though. All the right-wing hateful to-do is about nothing...much. Just like our own politicians, Ahmadinejad avoided answering the "hard" questions. The 60 Minutes show just tells me that he will simply say that our country is no better than his and he will only answer the questions that please him and avoid the rest.

LOL!!! He will be a waste of Columbia''s time, and that will make the rightie''s happy.

[diogenes23-2009]

While i don''t agree with him at least i have actually read what he has said. Sure he is against Israel but he is not against Jews. There are Jews in Iran. If say there was a dispute in Africa and they put all the people the Africans didn''t want (which is why the allies did this in the first place) say in Baja california no one would like it. The european Jews should have gotten land in Europe is his point. what they had 2000 years ago would mean that all of britan should go back to scandinavia and give it back to the irish!
All i know that jesus nor any one esle ever mentioned america in the bible so maybe all these christan right people are in the wrong country to . so i say the UN makes an international holy land that they can all live in together. .

[down-ndirty]

THe Bible clearly says that Israel is God''''s chosen land for the Jews and that Jerusalem is His chosen city. The Bible also clearly indicates that the Jews will finally recognize Christ as their Messiah when He returns at His second coming.
Posted by singinrick at 07:23 PM : Sep 23, 2007
_________________

Fortunately, the bible isn''t international law.

[klifton2-2009]

Why is America opposed to allowing Ahmadinejad addressing the US? If it is anything, the bloke has chutzpah, which Bush evidently does not have! Why won''t Bush go to Iran and Iraq and address the people there? Bring McCain and the rest along with him. Tell them why America is bombing Iraq into a democracy and why America is supplying billions of dollars worth of military hardware to Israel and why America is the number one supplier of arms to global conflicts and why America has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons that could annihilate mankind. Bush is not only a chicken hawk he is also an intellectual coward. Why not challenge Ahmadinejad to a debate for the benefit of the world. Go for it, if has the $balls$.

[down-ndirty]

What a rude and inconsiderate thing the Columbia U did by inviting this killer to OUR country.
Posted by myChelsea at 07:22 PM : Sep 23, 2007
__________________

LOL!! Another American "sheep" who doesn''t pay attention. Columbia did NOT invite Ahmadinejad to the U.S. He is coming here for a U.N. meeting.

You are another American sheep who fears what she doesn''t understand. Therefore, being a sheep, you fear everything outside of your "little world."

[cmp271]

It is such a shame this little man acts so bizarre, he is actually nice looking.

too bad he is ugly inside...

big voice, small parts!!!!

[down-ndirty]

-I rest my case of the hatred that engulfs the far-left.
Posted by singinrick at 07:11 PM : Sep 23, 2007
- - - - -

LOL!!!
You epitomize the hatred in the religious right and the right-wing neo-con party. Go back and read some of your posts.
LOL!!!

[dirtydog55]

I disagree with the protesters stand.
It is much better to have dialog, listen to your enemies, resolve what you can, disagree when you must.
But prior to any military action, prior to any killing, talk is always the intelligent precursor to war.
War is always an option if necessary
Posted by tibu987 at 11:23 PM : Sep 23, 2007
- - - - -

Unfortunately the Bush clan and the religious zealots who adore him do not believe in "dialog" with their enemies. "Shoot first and ask questions later," is their motto.

[dirtydog55]

The bible! What glaring inconsistencies it contains!

"Supposing his daughter-in-law had become a ***, Judah wanted her burnt - yet he did not feel it was wrong for him to patronize a ***. When she produced the staff, signet, and bracelets which he had given her, it was evident he was the father-to-be! Twins were born, one of them Pharez, through whom the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was extended on down to David and, ultimately, Jesus (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33). Thus, Judah became the head of a tribe of utmost importance in Biblical history: the tribe of Judah, named after him, and perpetuated through incest with his daughter-in-law!"

There seems to be a lot of sexx and violence, and hypocricy, in the bible.

[tibu987]

I disagree with the protesters stand.
It is much better to have dialog, listen to your enemies, resolve what you can, disagree when you must.
But prior to any military action, prior to any killing, talk is always the intelligent precursor to war.
War is always an option if necessary

[dirtydog55]

Americans must speak out against our internal enemy:
THE FAR LEFT Muslim extremists apologists.
They serve as just as much of a threat to freedom and prosperity in this country as islamic jihad does
Posted by singinrick at 06:46 PM : Sep 23, 2007
- - - - - -

The greatest threat to freedom and prosperity in this country is RADICAL RELIGION, including christian and all others.

RADICAL CHRISTIANITY is the sleeping giant that is going to awaken some day and RUIN the freedoms that we have worked so hard to preserve.

Democratic rule, ending slavery, women''s suffrage, racial integration--these are all activities that the radical religious christians in this country have fought against.

And singinrick is just another religious wacko who would like to have a one-party rule, just as Hitler did. LOL!!!

He is so ANTI-SECULAR that he doesn''t even know that most Jews are Democrats and that the U.S. military is comprised of about equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans. LOL!!! But how would he know that; he''s never spent a day in the military and he probably doesn''t have any Jewish friends.

[dirtydog55]

Rick, So you are a pro Zionist that still doesn''t understand Jews don''t consider Jesus a God or a Messaih ???
Posted by j-whitman at 06:47 PM : Sep 23, 2007

- - - - -

He''s not even a prophet in the Jewish religion. At least in Islam Jesus is a prohpet.

singinrick doesn''t get it. Most Jews in this country are Democrats. Except, of course, for Lieberman. LOL!!!

In the late 1700s some people wanted democratic rule. Right-wing religious wackos pointed ot the bible and siad it proved the king ruled by god''s will.

[dirtydog55]

You''''re so engulfed with deception Canyoutellme that you wouldn''''t know the Truth if it was staring you right in the face.
Posted by singinrick at 06:43 PM : Sep 23, 2007

- - - - -

LOL!!! You are so filled with hatred that you are no longer rational.

In the mid 1800s some people wanted to end slavery. Religious wackos pointed to the bible and said it proved that god approved of slavery.