Israel absented herself from the address, while the United States permitted only junior officials to remain. Ahmadinejad, who has defied calls for a stop to nuclear enrichment, even defied the guidelines set for the General Assembly, speaking for 30 minutes instead of the allocated 15. Nonetheless, he was not interrupted during his address.
Ahmadinejad stated his country’s uranium enrichment program is above board and for peaceful means, adding this was verified by United Nations inspectors. The Iranian leader did not make any effort to explain or apologize for his defiance of the international community’s demands to halt the uranium enrichment, opting to go on the offensive.
He accused the United States and Britain of using the Security Council to promote their agendas. In his address he spoke of “some permanent members of the council” that use “threat and coercion” as policy to advance political interests. He sid that when “they” encounter a difference of policy, “they” bring the issue to the Security Council floor and then act as judge and jury to promote their interests.
Ahmadinejad stated United Nations weapons inspectors have seen everything first hand and they can testify to the legitimacy of his statements and the non-violent nature of the nuclear program.
Making reference to the recent war in Lebanon, the Iranian leader stated that the influence of “some permanent members” made a ceasefire nearly impossible due to their heavy influence on the council’s operations. He said that the Security Council remained silent for 33 days, once again permitting "the Zionists" to advance their goals.
Ahmadinejad stated the West is seeking to deny Iran her "legitimate rights" to develop nuclear technology for peaceful means, while the West itself possesses that very technology.
Bush Responds
US President George W. Bush took a conciliatory tone, stating Washington does not object to Iran’s peaceful objectives regarding the nuclear program. He warned, however, that Tehran must abandon its “nuclear ambitions” towards the development of a weapon.
The United States is seeking to obtain Security Council approval for imposing economic and political sanctions on Iran after Tehran ignored the deadline imposed by the international community. Iran was instructed to halt the nuclear enrichment program no later than August 30th, but Ahmadinejad defiantly stated he had no intentions of complying. Since that time, Washington has been calling for sanctions, while European Union Foreign Minister Javier Solana and others in the EU express support for dialogue. The latter insist that sanctions will not lead to the cessation of Iran’s nuclear program.
The EU’s position is supported by China, Russia and other countries. American officials, however, remain confident that in the end, Washington will succeed in mustering sufficient support to pass a Security Council resolution that will lead to sanctions.
Ahmadinejad stated his country’s uranium enrichment program is above board and for peaceful means, adding this was verified by United Nations inspectors. The Iranian leader did not make any effort to explain or apologize for his defiance of the international community’s demands to halt the uranium enrichment, opting to go on the offensive.
He accused the United States and Britain of using the Security Council to promote their agendas. In his address he spoke of “some permanent members of the council” that use “threat and coercion” as policy to advance political interests. He sid that when “they” encounter a difference of policy, “they” bring the issue to the Security Council floor and then act as judge and jury to promote their interests.
Ahmadinejad stated United Nations weapons inspectors have seen everything first hand and they can testify to the legitimacy of his statements and the non-violent nature of the nuclear program.
Making reference to the recent war in Lebanon, the Iranian leader stated that the influence of “some permanent members” made a ceasefire nearly impossible due to their heavy influence on the council’s operations. He said that the Security Council remained silent for 33 days, once again permitting "the Zionists" to advance their goals.
Ahmadinejad stated the West is seeking to deny Iran her "legitimate rights" to develop nuclear technology for peaceful means, while the West itself possesses that very technology.
Bush Responds
US President George W. Bush took a conciliatory tone, stating Washington does not object to Iran’s peaceful objectives regarding the nuclear program. He warned, however, that Tehran must abandon its “nuclear ambitions” towards the development of a weapon.
The United States is seeking to obtain Security Council approval for imposing economic and political sanctions on Iran after Tehran ignored the deadline imposed by the international community. Iran was instructed to halt the nuclear enrichment program no later than August 30th, but Ahmadinejad defiantly stated he had no intentions of complying. Since that time, Washington has been calling for sanctions, while European Union Foreign Minister Javier Solana and others in the EU express support for dialogue. The latter insist that sanctions will not lead to the cessation of Iran’s nuclear program.
The EU’s position is supported by China, Russia and other countries. American officials, however, remain confident that in the end, Washington will succeed in mustering sufficient support to pass a Security Council resolution that will lead to sanctions.