Iran Leader Offers Obama Landmark Congratulation

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Ahmadinejad offers congratulations to Obama, first to US leader by Iranian president

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election."

The text of the note was carried by the official IRNA news agency on Thursday.

In the message, Ahmadinejad also says he hopes Obama will "use the opportunity to serve the (American) people and leave a good name" during his term in office.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6197370

[last1standing]

1. Iran offers congratulations while Israel makes demands.

Perhaps Israel should back off and let our new president do his job without their threats and demands.

[jrockford]

2. I was just going to post the same thing. They should back the hell off! nt

[Ohio Joe]

8. Threats and demands?

When did that happen?

[blayne]

9. link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3586641

[Ohio Joe]

10. I don't see any threats or demands there

:shrug:

[axollot]

17. Indeed, there were - an Israeli minister -

had come out and said "Obama will send the message that he is weak if he talks with Iran" - Personally I think talks with enemies are very important, during the Cold War did we not speak with Russia? And, on the face of it (because it wasn't the reality I know) those talks made Regan look good and like he made a difference with the Cold War/Russia (I know it was Russia spreading itself to thin that really brought the Berlin Wall down).

Cheers
Sandy

[Ohio Joe]

23. How is that a threat or demand?

I understood the message, I just don't see how it is a threat or demand.

[axollot]

33. True, just seemed terribly pushy for her to say, well before Iran said anything.

And it's rather early days for open warnings in a sea of congratulations. The warning seemed to have an ominous tone to it, and I get the idea I'm not alone in seeing it that way. Doesn't mean it's correct. I don't have a much diplomatic experience, just the 'arm chair'-comp kind! *shrug* with a lot of opinons LOL.

cheers
Sandy

[mallard]

43. a threat is definitely implied ...

... by the Israeli approach to Iran, along the lines of: we're far more likely to bomb you than talk to you.

[cobalt1999]

18. Obviously you don't recognise diplomatic code talk.

[Ohio Joe]

24. I guess not, tell me....

What is the implied threat? What is the implied demand?

[Behind the Aegis]

28. Didn't happen, but I won't interfere with the "Israel disinfo-fest."

So much for truth being a commodity.

[harun]

38. You are a disinfo-fest

[Behind the Aegis]

42. LOL!

Yes, you are such an authority. G-d forbid actual facts be introduced.

ETA: There were no threats, nor demands and three Israeli leaders congratulated Obama on his win within hours. But, then again, facts like that don't matter to some, perhaps like you? :shrug:

[liberalmuse]

3. Obama is going to continue to be bombarded.

Bush didn't do his job for 8 years, so there's a heap of crap that's waiting to be dumped on Obama. Can you imagine becoming the most important person on the planet overnight, and having the expectations placed upon you that Obama has? It would be overwhelming. Even so, I think Obama somewhat understood what he was in for, though you really don't know until you're there. I'm going to try and send as much good energy his way as I can.

[Wizard777]

4. It looks like the talks with Iran are off to a good start.

:pals: :applause: :headbang: :yourock: :headbang: :applause: :pals:

[Aristus]

7. In what respect?

And what are the pre-conditions?
B-) :P

[Schema Thing]

22. Charlie

[orleans]

5. that's wonderful. wish russia had done the same. n/t

[thereismore]

6. Now we're talking! Freepers' heads exploding! nt

[dipsydoodle]

11. Iranian leader welcomes Obama win

Source: BBC News

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has offered his congratulations to Barack Obama on his presidential win.

It is the first official message of goodwill presented to an American leader by the Islamic Republic.

In a key change to US foreign policy, Mr Obama has offered to open unconditional dialogue with Iran about its nuclear programme.

>

In a message carried on official news agency Irna, Mr Ahmadinejad said: "I congratulate you on being able to attract the majority of votes of the participants of the election."

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7713972.stm

[DUlover2909]

12. The Iranians are not totally unreasonable.

I disagree with their form of government and oppressive policies, but they are not our mortal enemies and they do not pose a threat to us.

[EconomicLiberal]

14. They certainly do pose a threat to us.

And their form of government and their oppressive policies is exactly what is wrong with them.

[Thorandmjolnir]

16. Care to tell us how they are a thert to the United States? nt.

[DUlover2909]

19. The people of Iran are the ones being oppressed. I have no problem with them.

Some of the policies of the Iranian government are ridiculous but I still don't see how they could possibly threaten the US.

[EconomicLiberal]

26. Of course the Iranian people are innocent.

But we are referring to the Iranian government and they are certainly not innocent. Especially when you are talking about the Ayatollah and Ahkmadinejad.

[onlyadream]

25. I have a good friend from Iran

who snuck out during the revolution (her father was a high official there). She does visit every year, nowadays, and has told me that Iranians love Americans - they don't like our gov't (Bush and co). They also don't like their own gov't (the Imams run it all) and they want us to go in and get rid of them all.

[fbahrami]

32. it is true

that some Iranians would like the US to change the regime, however most remember the 1953 CIA-backed coup (and a long war-filled history before that) and would prefer no foriegn involvement.

I was just in Tehran visiting family and that's what I heard.

[onlyadream]

39. Depends on their age

My friend is about 35, so she wouldn't remember that part of history (nor would I). She is also the type of Iranian which is not religious, which changes her viewpoint about the Imams. You would know more than I, but I'm guessing the more wealthier you are, the more you want things to be more western.

[fascisthunter]

36. yeah, well it's not going to happen

time for Iranians to take care of their own business.

[fascisthunter]

35. NO THEY DON'T POSE A THREAT TO US

no more than any other country on earth. And saying so is repeating a right wing lie that excerbates the already tenuous position we are in. It's ignorant and counter productive.

PS - their oppressive policies are the business of Iranian citizens and not us.

[Rancid Crabtree]

13. This is the same shithead that called America the Great Satan?

...the same one that declared Israel should be wiped off the map?...Sheese! Who the hell cares what he thinks?

[wordpix]

15. hey freepers, I suppose you prefer ANOTHER WAR with an oil rich nation to dialog?

You dumb fucks

[Rancid Crabtree]

30. I dunno what the fuck you're talking about...

...I still think the guy is a shithead...who the fuck cares what he thinks.

[High Plains]

40. Uh, well, he is the elected leader of Iran. n/t

You know, that country with all the oil.

That country in between Iraq and Afghanistan.

That country that borders the Straits of Hormuz.

That country that wants to develop a nuclear program.

Yeah, who cares what he thinks?

[Rancid Crabtree]

41. If he's interested in dialogue...

...then perhaps he could get behind the idea of teaching the youth of Islam to love life for Allah, rather than to encourage dying for Allah...I believe there's actually some in Iran who have marched with the words, 'death to the terrorists'...not that I saw in the mainstream media...but what do I know...all I have time for is trying to make a buck because the other guy wants it...so yeah...let's hear him encourage the youth of his country to live life for Allah, let's hear him take a stand against radical Islam's teaching its youth to die for Allah...and not say something else when the doors close behind him...

[axollot]

20. Under Baby B00sh we certainly looked Satanic.....n/t

[nichomachus]

21. Nope -- never said either of those things -- grab the remote -- turn off Fox News

[Rancid Crabtree]

31. Oh well, I still think the guy is a shithead...

[Posteritatis]

27. Half the Middle East, for starters? (nt)

[GetTheRightVote]

29. Talks are important, the sign of civilization and the right approach by Obama

with any World Leader whether we agree with them or not.

Different from Bush who hated to talk at all to them. Isn't that why we elected Obama ?

:kick:

[ohio2007]

34. Iran slams Obama's tough language on nuclear arms ( that didn't take long )

TEHRAN, Iran: Iran criticized President-elect Barack Obama for the first time Saturday, saying the world needs more than cosmetic changes in American foreign policy.

The criticism from Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani followed Obama's comment Friday that it is "unacceptable" for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and there should be a concerted international effort to prevent it.

snip

Asked about Iran at his first news conference since his election on Tuesday, Obama reiterated earlier statements saying he will move deliberately on how to respond to Iran and would not do it in a knee-jerk fashion."Iran's development of a nuclear weapon, I believe, is unacceptable. And we have to mount an international effort to prevent that from happening," Obama told reporters.

Iranian state radio said Obama's position was a replay of Bush's hard-line stance toward Tehran. It said this will dampen Iranian expectations for changes in U.S. foreign policy with the new administration.

The radio warned Obama "will betray the vote of the American people if he fails to bring back rationalism to the White House."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/08/news/ML-Iran-Obama.php

So, they see the "new boss" is the same as the "old boss". They don't like Baracks choice in cabnet members already and they don't like what their own young people think of him


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/11/06/do0607.xml

[fascisthunter]

37. Hopefully Obama will have Talk with Iran without the Jackals Interferring

There is nothing more sickening than those who promote military intervention rather than peaceful, objective and responsible dialogue between nations. It reminds me of the mob mentality of those cheering on executions in public squares during the Middle Ages or school kids cheering on a fight between two other kids.