Iranian leader demands US apology

[sweet soul]

Iran's president welcomes the possibility of a change in US policy but demands an apology for past US "crimes" against it.

Iran's president has responded to an overture by the new US president by demanding an apology for past US "crimes" committed against Iran.

The US "stood against the Iranian people in the past 60 years," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said during an address in the western region of Khermenshah.

"Those who speak of change must apologise to the Iranian people and try to repair their past crimes," he said.

President Obama has offered to extend a hand if Iran "unclenched its fist".

President Barack Obama discussed the possibility of a softening of US policy towards Iran in an interview recorded with a Saudi-owned Arabic TV network on Monday.

'Strong tirade'

The Iranian president welcomed the possibility of US change, but said: "When they say 'we want to make changes', change can happen in two ways".

"First is a fundamental and effective change... The second ... is a change of tactics. It is very clear that, if the meaning of change is the second one, this will soon be revealed," he said.

If you talk about change it must put an end to the US military presence in the world, withdraw your troops and take them back inside your borders

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad


Timeline: US-Iran ties
Stakes high for Obama on Iran
Q&A: Iran and the nuclear issue

The remarks are the first Iranian comment on the US since Mr Obama took office eight days ago.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran describes it as one of Mr Ahmadinejad's strongest tirades against the US.

Our correspondent says we may see twists and turns out of Iran as its leaders work out whether Mr Obama is offering real changes and whether they are prepared to offer real changes in return.

While he was playing to the crowd, adds our correspondent, he could also be staking out his position ahead of Iran's presidential elections in June.

Mr Ahmadinejad congratulated Mr Obama after his election in November but the message was criticised in Iran and received a cool response from Mr Obama.

Nuclear issue

Mr Ahmadinejad also attacked US support for Israel and called on Mr Obama to withdraw US troops from their bases around the world.

"If you talk about change it must put an end to the US military presence in the world, withdraw your troops and take them back inside your borders."

The US should "stop interfering in other people's affairs," he said.

"If someone wants to talk with us in the language that [George W] Bush used... even if he uses new words, our response will be the same that we gave to Bush during the past years".

Relations between Washington and Tehran reached new lows in recent years over attempts by the US and its allies in the United Nations to curtail Iran's nuclear programme over fears it is trying to build nuclear weapons.

Tehran says its programme is to develop civilian nuclear power only.

The new US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said on Monday that she was looking forward to "vigorous diplomacy that includes direct diplomacy with Iran".

The US broke off diplomatic ties with Iran in 1979, after students stormed the US embassy in Tehran after the Islamist revolution overthrew the US-backed Shah.


news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7855444.stm

[radge]

if thats the demand he's gonna be waiting a very long time. not to mention, its blantant bullsh*t just to make the point that...we still hate you and we always will regardless.

[jonren]

Obama, tell him to go fornicate himself and when he get's his nuke, to stick it up his jacksie.

[limeylily]

Jan 28, 2009 12:48:38 GMT jonren said:

Obama, tell him to go fornicate himself and when he get's his nuke, to stick it up his jacksie.

It'll be interesting to see if Obama has the backbone to make it clear that the President of the US has the final word on US policy not a superstitious shaman from a backward and oppressive tinpot country that still has to emerge from the Dark Ages.

[newyorker]

He wants an apology? Sure, I just taped it to a JDAM, should be delivered shortly.

[Deleted]

It all sounds very weird

[bertrus2]

It would be very positive for world peace and good for America if Obama made an apology to the Vietnamese people.

[Libby]

I can't see the President apologising. I don't think it would do him any good if he did?! He might be seen as weak and being able to be manipulated.

[Deleted]

I agree with you libby.
I can't see Obama aplolgising and I don't think he should.
Maybe he's doing a Neville Chamberlain or somesuch.
Old dinner whassit is trying to goad him.
I don't think it will be wise to play games with Obama.
Just a hunch

[Libby]

I agree icas! ;D

I don't see why he should apologise either. It's just not going to happen . . . .

[limeylily]

Jan 29, 2009 21:27:22 GMT Libby said:

I agree icas! ;D

I don't see why he should apologise either. It's just not going to happen . . . .

As someone once said, "It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees," and I'm sure Obama is well aware of the consequences of appearing weak as far as Iran (the sponsor of Hezbollah and Hamas terrorism) is concerned.

[Gort]

That's it! Time we nuked that inbred backward anal retentive. Its a pity as there are some moderate Iranians I know one Iranian female and she could'nt be more westernized, but unfortunately its not worth a ground war and we should just hammer their nuke facillites, I would be happy if we just knocked out their nuke plants and the ring piece admins dinner jacket or what ever his name is.

[Marshall]

Judging by the reaction Joe Biden got when making a stupid joke about a Supreme Court justice, I don't think Obama suffers fools gladly.

[Charles Martel]

Relax. Obama will convert to Islam long before he'll give the Iranians an apology. Ahmadinejad knows very well what Obama's response would be to his ridiculous demands (the 'apology' only being one of them). A better response is to laugh at this moron, shooting from the hip with no ammo - again!

[ricklinc]

Or maybe Obama remembers that America hasn't got a very good record trying things in Iran. Operation Blue Light caused Carter a lot of arse and he was a liberal as well.

[jonren]

Dear Poison Dwarf, the president is too busy. I apologise on behalf of the Western world for any hurt you feel. There you go, will that do? Now go away and shut your cakehole.

Ali whackbar.

[ricklinc]

We'd like to apologise in advance for the Israelis bombing your nuclear processing plant. Rest assured that Annie Lennox will make some ineffectual noise or other about it. Next time you decide to be a cnut don't do it during a recession when everybody is using less oil anyway.

[policecar]

Mr Ahmadinejad is as big a tool as Bush. Here is an historic opportunity to try dialogue instead of vitriol with the great Satan and he's effectively just taken a dump on the Obama White House Lawn. I wonder what the real leaders of Iran think of his latest stunt.

[Psalms]

Sounds like he's had his fill of the recent U.S. foreign policy - and should have his greivences addressed.

[reverend]

his grievances consist of promoting islamic supremancy and destruction of Israel, hes about as popular at home as brown is, so no his grievences shouldnt be adressed they should be ignored or treated with the contempt the little pipsqueak deserves!