Iran president calls for democracy for Palestinians

[norml]

Iran president calls for democracy for Palestinians
Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:00 PM GMT


TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday the only solution to the Middle East conflict was democracy for Palestinians, after provoking outcry last week by calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map".

The official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying the best step would be political rather than military.

"The only logical solution to solve the Palestinian issue is to hold free elections with the participation of Palestinians inside and outside the occupied territories and a recognition of the nation's legitimacy," he said after a meeting with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

When Iran uses the term "occupied territories" it usually means not only the West Bank and Gaza but the whole of Israel, whose right to exist Iran does not recognise.

Ahmadinejad appeared to be calling for full democratic representation for Palestinian refugees and emigres anywhere.

His comments last week sparked sharp international criticism, including a rebuke from the U.N. Security Council.

"I will ask U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to put on his agenda the formation of a democratic and legitimate Palestinian government," Ahmadinejad said on Sunday. Annan is expected to visit Iran in the next week or two.


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http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-10-30T220041Z_01_WRI079163_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAN-ISRAEL-AHMADINEJAD.xml&archived=False

[msongs]

1. how about democracy in Iran? there is none there nt

[PsychoDad]

4. As I understand it.

There is almost as much there as there is here.

Chosen candidates who are acceptable to the real powers that be run in elections. The biggest difference is that the powers that be in Iran are more open about their control. In Iran the council of Clerics, in Amerikkka the Corporations.

:)
Peace

[David__77]

6. As much as in Israel, to be sure...

I don't believe that Iran whole neighborhoods are off-limits to non-Muslims, for instance, while in Israel there are certainly "Jews-only" areas where no Muslim could hope to live.

[goforit]

2. Hmmm....this guy makes me wonder.

Does he support the Bush?

Calling a threat to Israel right before the indictments.

And now calls for democracy in Palestine?

[Andromeda]

3. This guy is crazy.

How about starting with your own country Mr. Ahmadinejad?

Nothing like getting Iran's population of 20-somethings without jobs whipped up to a fever pitch.

[ElectroPrincess]

5. Damn!

Larry, Curly and Moe = Bush, Sharon and Ahmadinejad

More demented and extremist leaders ... the world has never seen?!? :scared:

[David__77]

7. I agree with this concept of giving Israeli citizenship to all Palestinian

That is the solution. All those in Gaza, West Bank, and those who fled during the late 1940's and after should be given voting rights in the State of Israel. Then the people of the country could democratically decide its destiny. If the people want a Zionist state, they can vote for it, if they don't they can select another path.

[sweetheart]

8. agreed

No matter in what rosy colours they paint the creation of israel, the
truth is clearly that a lot of land was stolen, and without a fair
compensation, without denying the human right to nationality to the
peoples from which theft has taken place, places only another racist
regime in good light.

But really, democratic choice is based on equality of all religions
and persons, not just one sort. Its shameful what has been allowed to
go on in palestine as if democracy has anyting to do with that.