Iran, 2010

I am

grateful to the Almighty God who has granted me the

opportunity to appear before this world Assembly once

again.

I wish to begin by commemorating those who lost

their lives in the horrible flood in Pakistan and

expressing my heartfelt sympathy with the families

who lost their loved ones, as well as with the people

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and the Government of Pakistan. I urge everyone to

assist their fellow men and women as a humane duty.

Let me thank Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, who

presided over the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth

session, for all his efforts during his tenure. I also

congratulate Mr. Joseph Deiss on being elected to

preside over the current session, and wish him every

success.

In past years, I have spoken to the Assembly

about some hopes and concerns; some concerns

involve family crises, the security challenge, disrespect

for human dignity, the deterioration of the world

economy, climate change and disregard for human

aspirations to achieve justice and lasting peace.

After about a hundred years of domination, the

capitalist system and the existing world order have

proved to be unable to provide appropriate solutions to

the problems of societies; thus their demise has come

about. I shall try to examine several causes of this

failure and picture features of an ideal order.

The first cause of failure relates to our attitudes

and beliefs. As the Assembly is well aware, the divine

prophets had the mission to call everyone to

monotheism, love and justice and to show mankind the

path to prosperity. They invite men to contemplation

and to seek knowledge in order to better appreciate the

truth and to refrain from atheism and egoism.

The essence of the message of all prophets is one

and the same. Every messenger endorsed the

messenger before him, and gave glad tidings about the

prophet to come, who presented a more complete

version of the religion in accordance with man’s

capacity at the time. This trend continued until the last

messenger of God, who presented the perfection of an

all-inclusive religion.

In opposition to the call by the prophets, the

egoist and the greedy stood up against their clear call,

revolting against their messages. Nimrod countered

Hazrat Abraham, Pharaoh countered Hazrat Moses, and

the greedy countered Hazrat Jesus Christ and Hazrat

Muhammad — may peace be upon all our prophets.

In recent centuries, human ethics and values have

been rejected as a cause of backwardness. They were

even portrayed as opposing wisdom and science,

because the proclaimers of religion in the dark ages of

the West inflicted man with backwardness. Therefore,

man’s disconnection from heaven has detached him

from his true self.

Man — with his potential to understand the

secrets of the universe, his instinct to seek truth, his

aspirations for justice and perfection, his quest for

beauty and purity, and his capacity to represent God on

Earth — has been reduced to a creature restricted by

the materialistic world with a mission to maximize

individualistic pleasures. Human instinct, then,

replaced true human nature.

Human beings and nations are considered rivals,

and the happiness of an individual or a nation is upheld

at the cost of others, to the point of even eliminating or

suppressing others; rather than developing a

constructive and evolutionary method of cooperation, it

was replaced by a destructive struggle for survival. The

lust for capital and domination replaced monotheism,

which is the gateway to love and unity.

This widespread clash of the egoist with the

divine values gave way to slavery and colonialism. A

large part of the world came under the domination of a

few Western States. Tens of millions of people were

taken into slavery, and tens of millions of families were

shattered as a result. All the resources, the rights and

the cultures of the colonized nations were plundered.

Lands were occupied and the indigenous people were

humiliated and mass-murdered.

Yet, nations rose up, colonialism was alienated,

and the independence of nations was recognized. Thus,

the hope for respect, prosperity and security was

revived among nations. In the beginning of the past

century beautiful motives of freedom, human rights

and democracy created hopes for healing the deep

wounds of the past. Today, however, not only are those

dreams not realized, but memories, even at times more

bitter than before, have been recorded in our history.

As a result of the two World Wars, the occupation

of Palestine, the Korean and Viet Nam wars, the Iraq

war against Iran, the occupation of Afghanistan and

Iraq, as well as many wars in Africa, hundreds of

millions of people were killed, wounded or displaced.

Terrorism, illicit drug production, poverty and social

gaps have increased. The dictatorial and coups d’état

Governments in Latin America committed

unprecedented crimes, with the support of the West.

Instead of disarmament, the proliferation and

stockpiling of nuclear, biological and chemical

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weapons expanded, putting the world under a bigger

threat. As a result, the very same old goals of

colonialists and the slave masters were pursued, but

this time around with a new façade.

The second cause of the failure of the existing

world order and capitalism has to do with the current

global management and its ruling structures. The

League of Nations and then the United Nations were

established with the promise of bringing about peace,

security and the realization of human rights, which in

fact meant a global management.

One can analyse the current system for

governance of world affairs by examining three events.

The first event is that of 11 September 2001,

which has affected the whole world for almost a

decade. We recall that at the time suddenly the news of

an attack on the Twin Towers was broadcast using

numerous footages of the incident. Almost all

Governments and important figures strongly

condemned this incident. But then a propaganda

machine came into full force; it was implied that the

whole world was now exposed to a huge danger —

terrorism — and that the only way to save the world

was to deploy forces into Afghanistan. Eventually

Afghanistan and shortly thereafter Iraq were occupied.

I ask the Assembly please to take note: It was

said that some 3,000 people were killed on

11 September, for which we are all very saddened. Yet

so far in Afghanistan and Iraq hundreds of thousands of

people have been killed, while millions have been

wounded and displaced, and the conflict is still going

on and expanding.

In identifying those responsible for the

11 September attack, there were three viewpoints. The

first was that a very powerful and complex terrorist

group, able to successfully cross all layers of American

intelligence and security, carried out the attack. That is

the prevalent viewpoint advocated by American

statesmen.

The second viewpoint was that some segments

within the United States Government orchestrated the

attack to reverse the declining American economy and

its grip on the Middle East in order also to save the

Zionist regime. The majority of the American people as

well as other nations and politicians around the world

agree with this view.

The third viewpoint was that the attack was

carried out by a terrorist group, but that the American

Government supported and took advantage of the

situation. Apparently, this viewpoint has fewer

proponents.

The main evidence for that viewpoint links the

incident to a few passports found in the huge volume

of rubble and a video of an individual whose place of

domicile was unknown, but it was announced that he

had been involved in oil deals with some American

officials. It was also covered up and said that due to the

explosion and fire no trace of suicide attackers was

found.

Regardless of each of those three viewpoints,

there remain a few questions to be answered.

First, would it not have been sensible that first a

thorough investigation should have been conducted by

independent groups to conclusively identify the

elements involved in the attack and then map out a

rational plan to take measures against them?

Secondly, assuming the viewpoint of the

American Government, is it rational to launch a classic

war through widespread deployment of troops that led

to the death of hundreds of thousands of people to

counter a terrorist group?

Thirdly, was it not possible to act in the way in

which Iran conducted the operations fighting the Riggi

terrorist group, who killed and wounded 400 innocent

people? In the Iranian operation no innocent person

was harmed.

It is proposed that the United Nations set up an

independent fact-finding group in regard to the event

of 11 September to ensure that the different views

about it are not banned from future discussions.

I wish to announce here that next year the Islamic

Republic of Iran will host a conference to study

terrorism and the means to confront it. I invite

officials, scholars, thinkers, researchers and research

institutes of all countries to attend the conference.

The second cause of the demise of the existing

world order is the occupation of the Palestinian

territories. The oppressed people of Palestine have

lived under the rule of an occupying regime for

60 years, and have been deprived of freedom, security

and the right to self-determination, while the occupiers

are given recognition. On a daily basis, houses are

9 10-54833

being destroyed over the heads of innocent women and

children. People are deprived of water, food and

medicine in their own homeland.

The Zionists have imposed five all-out wars on

the neighbouring countries and on the Palestinian

people. The Zionists committed the most horrible

crimes against defenceless people in the wars against

Lebanon and Gaza. The Zionist regime attacked a

humanitarian flotilla in a blatant defiance of all

international norms and killed civilians. This regime,

which enjoys the absolute support of some Western

countries, regularly threatens the countries in the

region and continues publicly to announce the

assassination of Palestinian figures, while Palestinian

defenders and those opposing the regime are pressured,

labelled as terrorists and called anti-Semites. All

values, even the freedom of expression, which seem to

matter so much in Europe and in the United States, and

to be so important, have been sacrificed at the altar of

Zionism.

Solutions are doomed to fail because the right of

the Palestinian people is not taken into account. Would

we have witnessed such horrendous crimes if instead of

the occupation being recognized, the sovereign right of

the Palestinian people had been recognized?

Our unambiguous proposition favours the return

of the Palestinian refugees to their home land and a

vote by the people of Palestine, all Palestinians, to

exercise their sovereignty and decide on their type of

governance.

The third cause of the demise of the existing

order has to do with the outlook on nuclear energy.

Nuclear energy is clean and cheap and a heavenly gift

which is among the most suitable alternatives to cut

pollution emanating from fossil fuels. The

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allows all States

parties to use nuclear energy without limits, and the

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is

mandated to provide such States with technical and

legal support.

The nuclear bomb is the worst inhumane weapon,

and must be totally eliminated. The NPT prohibits its

development and stockpiling, and calls for nuclear

disarmament. Nonetheless, some permanent members

of the Security Council and other nuclear Powers —

those that possess the nuclear bomb — have resorted to

the following measure. They have equated nuclear

energy with the nuclear bomb, and have removed such

energy from the reach of most nations by establishing

monopolies and pressuring IAEA. At the same time,

they have continued to maintain, expand and upgrade

their own nuclear arsenals. The Assembly may have

heard that in the current year the United States

Administration has asked for $80 billion to maintain its

nuclear bombs.

The situation that I have described has entailed

the following: Not only has nuclear disarmament not

been realized, but also nuclear bombs have proliferated

in some regions, including by the occupying and

intimidating Zionist regime. Here I would like to

propose that 2011 be proclaimed the year of nuclear

disarmament and nuclear energy for all, nuclear

weapons for none.

In all the cases to which I have referred, I admit,

the United Nations has been unable to take any

effective, viable course of action. Unfortunately, in the

decade proclaimed as the “International Decade for the

Culture of Peace” hundreds of thousands have been

killed and injured as a result of war, aggression and

occupation, and hostilities and antagonism have

increased.

Very recently the world witnessed an abhorrent

and inhumane act of burning the Holy Koran. The Holy

Koran is the Divine Book and the eternal miracle of the

Prophet of Islam. It calls for worshipping the One God,

justice, compassion towards people, development and

progress, reflection and thought, defence of the

oppressed and resistance against oppressors; and it

names with respect the previous Messengers of God,

such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses and

Jesus Christ — may peace be upon all the prophets —

and endorses them. The Koran was burned to burn all

those truths and good judgements.

However, the truth cannot be burned. The Koran

is eternal, because God and truth are everlasting. This

act and any other act that widens the gap and distances

between nations is evil. We should wisely avoid

playing into the hands of Satan. On behalf of the

Iranian nation, I pay respect to all divine books and

their followers. In one hand I hold up the Koran and in

the other the Bible. We pay respect to both books, as

both are dear to us.

For years the inefficiency of capitalism and the

existing world management structures have been

exposed enough for us to understand what they mean.

The majority of States and peoples have begun a quest

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for fundamental changes and to allow justice in global

relations to prevail.

The cause of the United Nations ineptitude is its

unjust structure. Major Powers have monopolized the

Security Council, due to their veto privilege, and

sidelined the General Assembly, which is the main

pillar of the Organization.

In the past several decades, at least one

permanent member of the Security Council has always

been a party to a conflict. When both the judge and the

prosecutor are on the same side of a conflict, how can

one expect justice? They feel immune in aggression

owing to the structure of the United Nations. For

example, if Iran enjoyed the veto privilege, would the

Security Council and the IAEA Director General have

taken the same position on the nuclear issue?

The United Nations is the key centre for

coordinating common global management. Its structure

needs to be reformed in such a manner that all

independent States and nations may participate actively

and constructively in global governance.

The veto privilege should be revoked. The

General Assembly should be the highest body, and the

Secretary-General should be the most independent

official and all his positions and activities should be

taken with the approval of the General Assembly and

should be directed towards promoting justice and

eliminating discrimination in the world order.

The Secretary-General should not come under

pressure from Powers and/or the country hosting the

Organization for stating the truth and administering

justice. It is proposed that the General Assembly

should, within a year and in the framework of an

extraordinary session, finalize the reformation of the

Organization’s structure. The Islamic Republic of Iran

has clear suggestions in this regard and stands ready to

participate actively and constructively in the process.

I announce clearly that the occupation of other

countries under the pretext of freedom and democracy

is an unforgivable crime. The world needs the logic of

compassion and justice and inclusive participation

instead of the logic of force, domination, unilateralism,

war and humiliation. The world needs to be governed

by virtuous people like the Divine Prophets.

The two vast geographical spheres of Africa and

Latin America have experienced historic developments

during past decades, developments that have changed

their face. The new approaches in these two continents,

based on an increasing level of integration and unity, as

well as on localizing the growth and development

models, have borne considerable fruits for the peoples

of those regions. The awareness and wisdom of the

leaders of the two continents have overcome the

regional problems and crises, free of the domineering

interference of non-regional Powers.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has expanded its

relations with Latin America and Africa in all aspects

in recent years.

And now I speak about the glorious Iran. The

Tehran Declaration was a hugely constructive step in

confidence-building efforts, a step made possible

through the admirable good will of the Governments of

Brazil and Turkey, along with the close, sincere and

honest cooperation of the Iranian Government.

Although there was an inappropriate reaction to the

Declaration by some Western Powers, and it was

followed by an unlawful resolution, it is still valid.

We have observed the IAEA regulations beyond

the requirements of our commitments, yet we have

never submitted to illegally imposed pressures, nor will

we ever do so.

It has been said that there is a desire to pressure

Iran into a dialogue. Well, first, Iran has always been

ready for a dialogue based on respect and justice.

Secondly, methods based on disrespecting nations have

long been ineffective. Those who have used

intimidation and sanctions in response to the clear

logic of the Iranian nation are in real terms destroying

the remaining credibility of the Security Council and

the trust of nations in it, proving once again how unjust

is the Council’s function.

When those concerned threaten a great nation, a

great people, such as Iran, which has been known

throughout history for its scientists, poets, artists and

philosophers, and whose culture and civilization are

synonymous with purity, submission to God and

seeking justice, how can they ever expect other nations

to have confidence in them?

It goes without saying that domineering

methods — and mainly capitalism — in managing the

world have failed. Not only has the era of slavery and

colonialism and dominating the world passed, the path

to reviving old Empires is blocked, too.

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We have announced that we stand ready for a

serious and free debate with the American statesmen in

this very venue to express our transparent views on

issues of importance to the world. It is proposed here

that in order to have a constructive dialogue, an annual

free debate be organized within the General Assembly.

In conclusion, the Iranian nation and the majority

of the world’s nations and Governments are opposed to

the current discriminatory management of the world.

The inhumane nature of that management has led it to a

dead end, and it requires a major overhaul.

Reforming the world’s affairs and bringing about

tranquillity and prosperity requires the participation of

all, pure thoughts and the divine and humane

management that we have been given. We are all of the

view that justice is the basic element for peace, durable

security and the spread of love among peoples and

nations. It is in justice that mankind seeks the

realization of his aspirations, rights and dignity, since

he is wary of oppression, humiliation and ill-treatment.

The true nature of mankind is manifested in love

for fellow humans and love for all the good in the

world. Love is the best foundation for establishing

relations among people and among nations. As Vahshi

Bafgi, the great Iranian poet, says, “From the fountain

of youth, drink a thousand sips/You’ll still die if you

don’t have love’s grip”. In making a world full of

purity, safety and prosperity, people are not rivals, but

companions. Those who see their happiness only in the

sorrow of others and their welfare and safety only in

others’ insecurity, those who see themselves as superior

to others, are out of the path of humanity and are in

evil’s course.

Economy and materialistic means are only some

tools to serve others, to create friendship and

strengthen human connections for spiritual perfection.

They are not tools for showing off or means of

dominating others.

Men and women complement each other, and the

family unit, with pure, loving and long-lasting relations

of the spouses, becomes the centre and the guarantee of

the continuity and bringing up of generations, for true

pleasures, for spreading true love and for reforming

society.

Woman is a reflection of God’s beauty and the

source of love and care. She is the guardian of purity

and exquisiteness of society. The tendency to toughen

the souls and behaviours of women deprives them of

their very basic right of being a loving mother and a

caring wife. It will result in a more violent society with

irreversible defects.

Freedom is a divine right that should serve peace

and human perfection. Pure thoughts and the will of

the righteous are keys to the gates of a pure life full of

hope, liveliness and beauty. This is the promise of

God — that the Earth will be inherited by the pure and

the righteous. And the people free from selfishness will

take up the management of the world. Then there will

be no trace of sorrow, discrimination, poverty,

insecurity and aggression. The time for true happiness

and the blossoming of the true nature of humankind,

the way God has intended, will arrive.

All those seeking justice and all the free spirits

have been waiting for this moment and have been

promised such a glorious time. The complete human,

the true servant of God and the true friend of mankind,

whose father was from the generation of the beloved

Prophet of Islam and whose mother was from the true

believers of Jesus Christ, shall wait along with Jesus,

the son of Mary, and the other righteous to appear on

those brilliant days and assist humanity. In welcoming

them, we should join ranks and seek justice, as would

be befitting of man.

Praise to love and worship, praise to justice and

freedom, praise to true humanity, the complete human,

the true companion of humankind. I say to all those

listening: “Peace be upon you and all the righteous and

the pure.”