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U.S. delegation will not attend Ahmadinejad's U.N speech, spokeswoman says
The U.S. delegation "has decided not to attend" the speech to be delivered by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad before the United Nations General Assembly, Erin Pelton, spokeswoman for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, said in a statement Wednesday.
"Over the past couple of days, we've seen Mr. Ahmadinejad once again use his trip to the U.N. not to address the legitimate aspirations of the Iranian people but to instead spout paranoid theories and repulsive slurs against Israel," Pelton said.
The Iranian leader's addresses to the assembly have often generated controversy in the past. The tensions over Tehran's disputed nuclear program and speculation over a possible attack on Iran by Israel offer ample material for drama this time around.
In previous years, several delegations have walked out during Ahmadinejad's speeches, which have assailed the United States and criticized countries that he said used the Holocaust as an "excuse to pay ransom to Zionists."
Five things we learned from Day One of the U.N. debate
He will be taking to the podium Wednesday, a day after President Barack Obama told the assembly that while Washington remains committed to a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear program, the United States "will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and to fill energy shortages, but Western leaders believe Tehran is an aspiring armed nuclear power. U.N. inspectors have also expressed doubts about the program's aims.
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Obama says he wants dialogue and when Iran speaks, he doesn't shows up.
I guess this is what he meant with "Change"??!! I guess it was change for the worse that he meant.
It's interesting that you were also to deliver this observation to all those reading it here without showing up personally. The wonders of technology allow people to communicate even without sitting in the same room with each other.
Am I the only one that wonders why this guy isn't kidnapped and forced to spend countless days with Sandra Bernhard as her bathroom attendant? I mean c'mon... This guy is responsible for the kidnapping and detention of numerous people including a former FBI agent.
I agree that if I were Obama, I would not be within a hundred miles of this guy when the 'boom' comes.
he is good president 😉
I am curious as to the walkout by the U.S. delegation (mission) to the General Assembly prior to Ahmadinejad's address.Were the members instructed by Ms. Rice, or by the president of the U.S., or did the members merely vote among themselves to walk out? If anyone can answer, or provide a link, that would be helpful to me. John Lake