Ahmadinejad`s Fiery Speech

This past week on Iranian state run television, President Ahmadinejad addressed the people of Najafabad. In his speech he sent out ominous warnings to both the USA and Israel, in addition to those corrupting the Muslim faith. As mentioned in previous blogs, Ahmadinejad`s usage of messianic\religious rhetoric combined with fear tactics obfuscates all attempts for the creation of a more pluralistic environment where negotiations and the easing of tensions are necessary to prevent a future conflict.

Posted below is Ahmadinejad`s speech: (Taken from World News Connection, Document #200705301477.1_ca2001e33bd43ea1)

In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. (Passage omitted: Greetings and praise for the devout people of Najafabad) The population of Najafabad, the town of Najafabad, is more than 280,000 strong. I am told that out of this number, 61,000 are official members of the Basij (voluntary militia). I should like to declare to the world that everyone in Najafabad is a Basiji and that this is the biggest Basij base of the Iranian nation. (Loud cheers and whistles). (Passage omitted: Salutations and religious issues, stressing God's mercy and favors)

To see the speech in its entirety click on the speeches link on the left hand side.