AP: Khatami: U.S. Policies Trigger Terrorism

[Eugene]

Khatami: U.S. Policies Trigger Terrorism
Former Iranian president says U.S. foreign policy triggers terrorism and violence

ROSEMONT, Ill., Sep. 3, 2006
By CARLA K. JOHNSON Associated Press Writer
(AP) Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said Saturday that U.S. foreign
policy triggers terrorism and violence in the world, but American Muslims can
play a key role in promoting peace and security.

In his first public appearances during a nearly two-week visit to the United States,
Khatami spoke twice in the Chicago area. He is the most senior Iranian official
to visit the United States since Islamic fundamentalists seized the U.S. Embassy
in Tehran in 1979 and held Americans hostage for 444 days.

"As America claims to be fighting terrorism, it implements policies that cause
the intensification of terrorism and institutionalized violence," Khatami said
at the Islamic Society of North America's 43rd annual convention.

-snip-

He said Muslims must forge a new identity that embraces the modern world,
tolerates other religions and works toward peace.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/03/ap/national/mainD8JT6S900.shtml

Note: The article goes on to describe Khatami's call for dialogue.

[SpiralHawk]

1. coMMander AWOL: "D'oh, do you suppose?"

"Excuse me for being clueless. We are still looking for the WMD my SKULL & Bones Poppy gave to Saddam, so we don't have no time to addd 2 + 2 and come up with a clue. Besides, any spare time we have has to go over to figuring out how to steal some more elections here in the USA. So in the meantime, why don't you Eye-Ranians just shut up and sit down so I can TALK TOUGH some more."

- Your favorite Connecticut Preppy Cheerleader Deserter pResident

[Missy M]

2. The last paragraph in the post says it all....

"Muslims must forge a new identity that EMBRACES the modern world, tolerates other religions and works toward peace". I also agree with him that the US policies cause an intensification of terrorism.

[54anickel]

3. WTF? What the man said makes sense and doesn't deserve this

criticism:

Khatami's visit to the Islamic Society drew criticism from the Chicago Jewish Federation, which issued a statement that condemned the former leader, saying he has "behaved as an enemy of America and our most cherished values."

That paragraph seems so out of place within the context of the rest of the article. I did a quick Google to see if I could find more on the CJF statement. Came across this one:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/09/03/2003325986

snip>

The Islamic Society drew its own fire for inviting former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, who was expected to address the convention yesterday.

"Khatami ... behaved as an enemy of America and our most cherished values," said Jay Tcath, vice president of the Chicago Jewish Federation, in a statement.

"It is disturbing that any American organization would honor him by providing such an important platform," he said.

Tcath said American Jews remember "the egregious 1999 imprisonment and circus trial of 13 Iranian Jews on trumped-up charges of espionage for Israel," which happened under Khatami's presidency.


Just seems so sad to criticize and attempt to block some serious discussion on the issues. You've got to be able to start somewhere.

[Eugene]

4. It needs to be pointed out that Khatami had no authority over the courts.

Religious hard-liners control the courts, the police,
the intelligence services, and even parts of the military.
Iran's constitution gives the president and other elected
officials very limited power.