Ahmadinejad visit causes mixed reactions

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly and try to convince Americans that Iran does not pose a threat to their safety, London’s Times Online reported today. According to Ahmadinejad, Americans have not been given accurate information and his visit will allow them to hear a different voice.

“It is wrong to think that Iran and the U.S. are walking towards war,” he said. “Who says so? Why should we go to war? There is no war in the offing.”

Washington has stated that it is handling the situation with Iran diplomatically, but that all options are open.

People lined up outside Columbia University yesterday to protest the Iranian president’s scheduled talk there today. New York State Assemblyman, Dov Hikind, said: “He should be arrested when he comes to Columbia University, not invited to speak, for God’s sake.”

Colombia University President Lee Bollinger promised that he will ask Ahmadinejad questions about human rights, the Holocaust, and Iran’s nuclear program before allowing him to speak.

Ahmadinejad’s arrival in New York has caused mixed reactions in Iran. Political analyst Iraj Jamshadi said of the visit: “The world has not welcomed Mr. Ahmadinejad’s hardline approach. His previous address to the assembly didn’t resolve any of Iran’s foreign policy issues and no one expects anything better this time.” On the other hand, conservative politician Alaeddin Boroujerdi told Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency that “This trip gives the president a good chance to meet world leaders and inform them of Iran’s rightful position.”

For the full article, click here.