Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 9.14.2005:

In New York, Iran's President Performed Poorly

Iran Press Service:

In his first international appearance, Iranian new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad badly deceived an attentive and curious world community Wednesday 14 September when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian analysts said.

In a short speech centered on denouncing “unilateralism” and “hegemony”, meaning the United States, which he never mentioned by name, Mr. Ahmadinejad also called for reforming the United Nations allowing equality between all members without exception.

What surprised the audience that included more than hundred Head of States was that he did not mention his much awaited “initiative” on Iran’s nuclear issue.... READ MORE

The NYC Demonstrations

I have been told by leaders of the Iranian opposition leaders that there were approximately 5-9,000 demonstrators present at the UN to voice their opposition to Iranian President Ahmadinejad's presence at the UN. They dispute that he actually represents the Iranian people.

Text of Ahmadinejad's UN Speech.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Steven Weisman, The NY Times reported that India is balking at confronting Iran, straining its friendship with the U.S.
• Globe & Mail reported that lacking the votes to win, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is prepared to delay again a showdown with Iran.
• PRNewswire reported that several former U.S. Embassy hostages, Iranian victims of torture held a press conference condemning the New York (UN) visit of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
• Eli Lake, The NY Sun reported that a group of former American hostages is demanding that the CIA turn over a classified report that they say wrongly cleared Iran's new president of his role in interrogating them during the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran.
• Ron Kampeas, JTA reported that behind-the-scenes at U.N., Sharon will have one focus - Iranian Nukes.
• The International Herald Tribune reported that last February, a group of European and American foreign policy experts issued the "Compact Between the United States and Europe," a detailed proposal for trans-Atlantic cooperation on the key foreign policy issues. They produced a response to the Iranian crisis.
• The Tribune India reported that US President George Bush may have launched a failed drive to isolate Iran.
• Claude Salhani, UPI reported that as Iran's newly elected president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in New York to attend the U.N. general assembly he was met by a flurry of protests.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported that the U.N. atomic watchdog fears referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council now for possible sanctions would split its members.
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that Ahmadinejad met with Iranian nationals residing in the United States.
• Dafna Linzer, The Washington Post reports on the Bush administration's hour-long slide show that blends satellite imagery with disquieting assumptions about Iran's nuclear energy program, entitled: A History of Concealment and Deception.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that the Bush administration dispatched intelligence experts to China and India last week to brief them on Tehran's alleged efforts to develop a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.
• Reporters Without Borders called for the immediate release of journalist Massoud Bastani, in Evin prison for covering a demonstration in support of imprisoned fellow journalist Akbar Ganji.
• Mr. Taheri, The Wall Street Journal reported that in the Tehran moneychangers' bazaar the Iraqi currency is in great demand. He discussed its implications.
• Iranian blogger, Hossein Derakshan, The Guardian discussed Internet censorship in Iran.
• Bloomberg reported that China's President Hu Jintao agreed to step up diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear weapons development.
• The LA Times reported that the United States has launched a major push to isolate Iran diplomatically, but said it may be too little too late.
• And finally, the Sun Sentinel and the AP published photos of the NYC demonstration Against Ahmadinejad.