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| Iran | |
| Rafsanjani sez its all Bushâs fault | |
| 2004-01-10 | |
| Iranâs influential former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said today US President George W. Bushâs repeated accusations against Iran had undermined a possible thaw in the decades-old enmity between the two nations. Speaking at Friday prayers in Tehran, Rafsanjani said Tehran was encouraged by US humanitarian relief to victims of the devastating earthquake in Bam on December 26 and a US proposal for a first public official visit to Iran in over two decades. âOur initial analysis was that they wanted to pave the way for negotiations and resolving the problems,â Rafsanjani said in a sermon broadcast live on state radio. âTheir main mistake was that Bush started to repeat the old allegations about Iran and weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, human rights and the West Asia conflict... If you want to extend a hand of friendship and a new approach, you shouldnât repeat the old words,â said Rafsanjani, who analysts say remains a key player in Iranâs foreign policy. He was referring to comments on January 1 by Bush, who, while praising Tehran for allowing US humanitarian aid to be sent to the people of Bam, reiterated long-standing accusations that led him to label Iran an âaxis of evilâ member in 2002. âThe Iranian government must listen to the voices of those who long for freedom, must turn over al Qaida (members) that are in their custody and must abandon their nuclear weapons programme,â Bush said. Rafsanjani today said a French government plan to ban Islamic headscarves from public schools was an insult to all Muslims and hinted the move may harm Franceâs ties with Iran. âI hope the French government and (President Jacques) Chirac himself, as well as the French parliament understand they have insulted one and half billion Muslims,â Rafsanjani said.
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| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #4 Rafsanjani said Tehran was encouraged by US humanitarian relief to victims of the devastating earthquake in Bam on December 26... "They were acting like such good little dhimmis..." |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-1-10 10:20:51 PM |
| #3 they should bury this corrupt bazarri mullah in pistaccio nuts along with his whole corrupt family--bush will talk to them when they find the hidden imam |
| Posted by: SON OF TOLUI 2004-1-10 9:35:54 PM |
| #2 oh well let the fuck wit whine, who's concerned what this clown has to say anyway.A 'Thaw' in relationships would only prolonged the situation out there.I say keep the pressure on these fools and if they don't give up thier weapons turn Iran into one big Bam. |
| Posted by: Jon Shep 2004-1-10 2:59:09 PM |
| #1 âTheir main mistake was that Bush started to repeat the old allegations about Iran and weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, human rights and the West Asia conflict..." The only mistake made by administration officials was in thinking that any improvement in relations is possible while Iran's mullahs are still in power. âI hope the French government and (President Jacques) Chirac himself, as well as the French parliament understand they have insulted one and half billion Muslims,â Rafsanjani said during prayers in Tehran. Tough shit. They passed the law, and the citizens have to obey it. If they don't like it, well, there's no wall keeping them there. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-1-10 1:50:04 PM |