Iran says Pope’s speech ‘in line with’ US policy

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/September/middleeast_September405.xml§ion=middleeast

TEHERAN - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Pope Benedict’s remarks on Islam were in line with what he said was the United States’ ‘crusade’ against the religion, state television reported.

The Pope’s first big crisis since his election 17 months ago was sparked by a speech in Germany on Tuesday when he repeated criticism of the Prophet Mohammad by a medieval scholar who said everything the Prophet brought was evil.

‘The Pope’s remarks were the latest chain of the crusade against Islam started by America’s (President George W.) Bush,’ Khamenei said in a televised speech.

‘The Great Satan (United States) is playing its role in this issue.’

Bush upset many Muslims after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 by referring early on to the global war against terrorism as a ‘crusade’, a term which for many Muslims equates with a Christian battle against Islam.

The White House quickly stopped using the word, expressing regrets if it had caused offence.

[demnan]

1. Just curious

does anyone have a link to the Pope's actual speech? Not just the quote that was taken out of context?