Iranian Official Slams Ahmadinejad

Ex-Nuclear Negotiator Says President's "Bombastic Slogans" Are Hampering Iran

(AP)  Iran's former chief nuclear negotiator rebuked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a sharp attack on Wednesday, saying the hardline president's "bombastic slogans" are hampering Iran's development and harming national interests.

Hasan Rowhani's remarks were some of the harshest criticism yet of Ahmadinejad by a prominent member of Iran's ruling Islamic establishment.

Rowhani was replaced as top nuclear negotiator when Ahmadinejad came to office in 2005, but remains a member of the Supreme National Security Council, which handles nuclear issues. He also sits on two powerful cleric-run bodies, the Experts Assembly and the Expediency Council.

"Does foreign policy mean bombastic slogans? Harsh speech? Remarks that end in loud slogans? These things won't build foreign policy," Rowhani told the opening session of a conference in Tehran. "Foreign policy doesn't mean fiery slogans. Foreign policy means a way of dealing with the world that reduces threats."

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, praised Ahmadinejad Tuesday for standing up to the West and refusing to halt the country's uranium enrichment. Ahmadinejad said a report released by the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Friday had vindicated Iran's nuclear program and left no justification for any U.N. Security Council sanctions.

The 11-page report by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei said all major past issues surrounding Iran's nuclear activities had been resolved or are "no longer outstanding at this stage." The IAEA investigation's findings were consistent with explanations provided by Iran, the report also said.

The U.S., however, said the report actually strengthened the case for additional sanctions because it said Iran refused to heed Security Council demands to halt enrichment. The IAEA also said Tehran had dismissed as "baseless" information provided by Western intelligence agencies that Iran's alleged missile and explosives experiments are part of a nuclear weapons program.

The U.S. is now pushing for a third round of sanctions against Iran and is hoping for a Security Council vote later this week.

Rowhani's criticism is partly shared by conservative supporters of Ahmadinejad, who contend his rhetoric needlessly antagonizes the West and increases divisions at home. The hardline president often harshly denounced the U.S. in his speeches, has angered the West with vows that Israel will one day be eliminated and has sharply criticized domestic rivals, branding some as "traitors." The president is also under fire for failing to reform Iran's failing economy.

Rowhani said Ahmadinejad's policies were undermining Iran's plans to become a regional superpower and a base for high technology and scientific know-how by 2025.

The plan, Rowhani said, won't materialize as long as the government excludes moderates and experts who disagree with Ahmadinejad's politics and as long as inflation and unemployment are not controlled.

"My fear is that the plan is being turned into a slogan. This is the main danger ... If we want to achieve the goals defined in the document, we need a national resolve ... one group and faction alone, can't bring development," he said.

Rowhani called for a "competent government ... a government that is competent and responsible" in order to turn Iran into the industrial powerhouse of western Asia.

"We are not yet disappointed, but the experience in the past two or three years has not been a good experience," the official said. "If a nation gets into the field of slogans, it will suffer. We need to be realistic," he said, in clear reference to Ahmadinejad.

He pressed the government to be "ready for flexibility and bargaining."

[lorinkundert]

"Iranian Official Slams Ahmadinejad" Was that from behind or straight down the gullet?

[toolmangler-2009]

this is like a seal taking on a great white.

[tbweb]

Rowhani''s criticism is partly shared by conservative supporters of Ahmadinejad, who contend his rhetoric needlessly antagonizes the West and increases divisions at home.

Exactly correct, the keywords being "needlessly antagonizes". Sometimes heads of state are justified in strong rhetoric to support their views and agendas, but Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has only one tool in his toolbox and thats a hammer, and when all you have and use is a hammer every problem and issue looks like a nail.

[sociallyjust]

This wanna-be Hitler [Mah-mouth A-MAD-JIHAD] and the other primitive, religiously damaged clerics who rule Iran, MUST BE TAKEN OUT. These madmen MUST BE TAKEN OUT, before - BEFORE - they are in possession of ANY nuclear weapons.
Rendering Iran and its military harmless, is one UNIVERSALLY BENEFICIAL CAUSE. Mankind''s survival depends on that achievement, with no ands, ifs or buts!

[lloydbest1]

The similarities between Ahmadinejad and George Bush (the younger) are breathtaking. Consider:
Both are driven by ideology and emotion rather than reason.
Both are spending more than their countries are earning.
Both claim they''re answerable only to God (same one frighteningly enough).
Both have taken steps outside their country''s respective laws to intimidate or supress opposition.
Both are insistant on pushing a particular moral agenda.
Both are highly likely to be war criminals.
Both are consistantly throwing up straw men to distract the public from their own flawed policies.
Both use fear of insert Christian or Muslim enemy as a ruse to hold on to power.
Both have obtained their power by questionable means.
Both want, in fact need a U.S. invasion of Iran.
Both are driven by apocalyptic visions of glory in The Final Battle.
Both have been demonstratively dishonest in their dealings with the public and with other branches of their governments
And both are struggling with saner members of their goverments who are sick of these two deliquents ruining their countries.
What can I say other than these two are twins separated at birth.

[lloydbest1]

Sorry, bullet 8:
"Both use fear of insert Christian or Muslim enemy as a ruse to hold on to power."
should have read:
"Both use fear of (insert Christian or Muslim enemy) as a ruse to hold on to power."
Comment section editor seems not to like carats

[jesterbelle]

LloydBest1:I finished the story and was thinking about posting a comment about the Iranian version of George Bush.Then I read yours.LOL

[jesterbelle]

LloydBest1,An afterthought.Have you ever noticed how their eyes look simular?Sort of unhinged...

[jowand]

Sorry, bullet 8:
"Both use fear of insert Christian or Muslim enemy as a ruse to hold on to power."
should have read:
"Both use fear of (insert Christian or Muslim enemy) as a ruse to hold on to power."
Comment section editor seems not to like carats

Posted by LloydBest1 at 01:26 AM : Feb 28, 2008

You have multiple loose screws

[jowand]

Both have been demonstratively dishonest in their dealings with the public and with other branches of their governments
And both are struggling with saner members of their goverments who are sick of these two deliquents ruining their countries.
What can I say other than these two are twins separated at birth.
Posted by LloydBest1 at 01:22 AM : Feb 28, 2008

You''re a lying idiot

[newsjunky5]

With a name like "Armani Dinnerjacket" you''d think he''d dress nicer.

[newsjunky5]

"If a nation gets into the field of slogans, it will suffer."


I will not engage in nationbuilding
Compassionate conservatism
You''re either with us or against us
Bring it on
Mission accomplished
Freedom isn''t free

[sigotratando]

[Ahmadinejad] has sharply criticized domestic rivals, branding some as "traitors."

How easily this term is used in political circles when a leadership has individuals who disagree with its actions.

[liberalme]

With a name like "Armani Dinnerjacket" you''''d think he''''d dress nicer.
Posted by newsjunky5 at 04:01 AM : Feb 28, 2008

LOL