Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used his address Wednesday evening to the United Nations’ General Assembly to criticize capitalism and what he described as the hypocrisy of Western powers — while also leaving an opening for conciliation on the issue of nuclear weapons.
Capitalism’s “unfair system of thought has reached the end of the road and is unable to move,” Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, said in his highly anticipated speech in New York.
The Iranian leader issue stinging attacks on the United States and its allies without calling them by name, and delegations from several nations, including the U.S., walked out during the speech, partly in protest of Ahmadinejad’s past statements blasting Israel and denying the holocaust.
Ahmadinejad assailed Israel for what he said was a barbaric attack on the Gaza Strip last winter. He also accused the West of hypocrisy, saying it preached democracy, but violated its fundamental principles.
Addressing Israel, the Iranian leader said, "The awakening of nations and the expansion of freedom worldwide will no longer allow them to continue their hypocrisy and vicious attitudes."
"How can one imagine that the inhuman policies in Palestine may continue?" Ahmadinejad continued. "How can crimes of the occupiers against defenseless women and children and destruction of their homes, farms, hospitals and schools be supported unconditionally by certain governments?"
Ahmadinejad didn't address Iran's nuclear program directly in his speech, but he assailed what he called “despicable forms of intimidation and deceit in the name of freedom.”
“It is no longer possible to humiliate nations and impose double standards on the world community,” Ahmadinejad said, according to the English interpreter.
Yet Ahmadinejad also said his country is ready to shake all hands "that are honestly extended to us," and he announced Iran's commitment to participate in building durable peace and security worldwide for all nations while defending the country's legitimate and legal rights.
Capitalism’s “unfair system of thought has reached the end of the road and is unable to move,” Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, said in his highly anticipated speech in New York.
The Iranian leader issue stinging attacks on the United States and its allies without calling them by name, and delegations from several nations, including the U.S., walked out during the speech, partly in protest of Ahmadinejad’s past statements blasting Israel and denying the holocaust.
Ahmadinejad assailed Israel for what he said was a barbaric attack on the Gaza Strip last winter. He also accused the West of hypocrisy, saying it preached democracy, but violated its fundamental principles.
Addressing Israel, the Iranian leader said, "The awakening of nations and the expansion of freedom worldwide will no longer allow them to continue their hypocrisy and vicious attitudes."
"How can one imagine that the inhuman policies in Palestine may continue?" Ahmadinejad continued. "How can crimes of the occupiers against defenseless women and children and destruction of their homes, farms, hospitals and schools be supported unconditionally by certain governments?"
Ahmadinejad didn't address Iran's nuclear program directly in his speech, but he assailed what he called “despicable forms of intimidation and deceit in the name of freedom.”
“It is no longer possible to humiliate nations and impose double standards on the world community,” Ahmadinejad said, according to the English interpreter.
Yet Ahmadinejad also said his country is ready to shake all hands "that are honestly extended to us," and he announced Iran's commitment to participate in building durable peace and security worldwide for all nations while defending the country's legitimate and legal rights.