Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York

Ahmadinejad leaves for UN amid controversy

Sunday, 23 September 2007 15:24 (RTÉ ) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has left Iran for the United States, where he is due to address the UN General Assembly in New York.

Mr Ahmadinejad's trip has already created controversy over his calls for the destruction of Israel and his questioning of the scale of the Holocaust.

Columbia University was urged to withdraw a speaking invitation to the Iranian president during his trip to New York... the University's website says the forum aims to foster public debate on key economic, political and social questions.

New York police have denied Mr Ahmadinejad's request to visit the World Trade Center, site of the 11 September attacks.

Mr Ahmadinejad has he was amazed by the reaction to his proposed visit to Ground Zero and he would try to go if he have the time and the conditions are conducive.

Asked in an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes if he would press his request, he said that if local officials could not make the necessary arrangements, he said he would not insist.

Tags: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, OJ Simpson, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

What is this thing we carry around inside, that something that gives off subtle vibes about someone we encounter on life's pathways. It is an enigma. I've always been outside the O.J. Simpson case: never sure if he did or did not "do it." One thing I am sure of, that little gut feeling tells me to beware of Ron Goldman's father. Something about "Father Goldman" that just isn't right.


Oddly, that same gut feeling tells me the Iranian President may be secretly wanting to make friends with the United States. WHAT!?!Yeah, seems odd, but then again, this guy is very puzzling. On her blog, Michelle Malkin writes "He’s ready for take-off. Are you?" Are we? He wants to meet with war critics and 9/11 families. He wanted to see Ground Zero at the WTC site. Why shouldn't he? Is he reaching out, asking to be "moved?" Who wouldn't be thrilled if he turned Iranian politics upside down? This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Watch us blow it. In a follow-up post, Michelle writes about Americans against Ahmadinejad. MM notes "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reaffirmed his support for the Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip." Earlier this year I interviewed two men working hard to bring peace to the Middle East. One of them, a fromer Israeli soldier, admitted Israel is part of the problem. Israel needs leadership that's not afraid of saying "ok, we were wrong on this or that." Admitting a mistake is not a sign of weakness.

Not to be outblogged, earlier this year on his blog, Ahmadinejad put up a post where he writes that he received a letter from an American woman whose son was sent to Iraq. "I am sorry to say that the American people are kept in an absolute censorship concerning the outside world by their government. I am certain if the American people know where and on what, their tax money are spent, even the strong supporters of the government would not stand it and rush to the street to show their opposition in regard to that issue."

From Haaretz: Let Ahmadinejad speak, Bradley Burston's article leaves doors open. That is wise. Ahmadinejad is shrewd, with a Rubik's cube personality. Who knows? He might even make peace with Israel. If you read some of the things the man has written (and said) you will wonder about him too! Quotations from President Ahmadinejad of Iran. Libby Spencer is among bloggers saying Let Ahmadinejad speak!

University President Lee Bollinger has said the Ahmadinejad invitation is in keeping with “Columbia’s long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate.” The visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to New York has stirred up a lot of controversy and emotions. It has forced Americans answer some hard questions about what kind of country we are.

Americans against Ahmadinejad; Update: Planning to meet 9/11 families and ‘war critics’?!
After having been rejected by the United States administration to visit the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is now planning to meet the families of the 9/11 victims, Fars news agency reported. Fars, which is close to the presidential office, further reported that Ahmadinejad would also meet US war critics.