Khamenei spits in Obama's face

[jimmy olsen]

What a surprising development.  :-X

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29810371/

Iran supreme leader dismisses Obama overture
Khamenei: 'We haven't seen any change' in U.S. policy toward government

updated 24 minutes ago

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed overtures from President Barack Obama on Saturday, saying Tehran does not see any change in U.S. policy under its new administration.

Khamenei was responding to a video message Obama released Friday in which he reached out to Iran on the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian new year, and expressed hopes for an improvement in nearly 30 years of strained relations.

Khamenei holds the last word on major policy decisions, and how Iran ultimately responds to any concrete U.S. effort to engage the country will depend largely on his say.

Khamenei demands changes
In his most direct assessment of Obama and prospects for better ties, Khamenei said there will be no change between the two countries unless the American president puts an end to U.S. hostility toward Iran and brings "real changes" in foreign policy.

"They chant the slogan of change but no change is seen in practice. We haven't seen any change," Khamenei said in a speech before a crowd of tens of thousands in the northeastern holy city of Mashhad.

In his video message, Obama said the United States wants to engage Iran, but he also warned that a right place for Iran in the international community "cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization."

Khamenei asked how Obama could congratulate Iranians on the new year and accuse the country of supporting terrorism and seeking nuclear weapons in the same message.

Khamenei said there has been no change even in Obama's language compared to that of his predecessor.

"He (Obama) insulted the Islamic Republic of Iran from the first day. If you are right that change has come, where is that change? What is the sign of that change? Make it clear for us what has changed."

Still, Khamenei left the door open to better ties with America, saying "should you change, our behavior will change too."

Severed ties
Diplomatic ties between the United States and Iran were cut after the U.S. Embassy hostage-taking after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which toppled the pro-U.S. shah and brought to power a government of Islamic clerics.

The United States cooperated with Iran in late 2001 and 2002 in the Afghanistan conflict, but the promising contacts fizzled — and were extinguished completely when Bush branded Tehran part of the "Axis of Evil."

Khamenei enumerated a long list of Iranian grievances against the United States over the past 30 years and said the United States was still interfering in Iranian affairs.

He mentioned U.S. sanctions against Iran, U.S. support for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein during his 1980-88 war against Iran and the downing of an Iranian airliner over the Persian Gulf in 1988.

He also accused the United States of provoking ethnic tension in Iran and said Washington's accusations that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons are a sign of U.S. hostility. Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, like energy production, not for building weapons.

"Have you released Iranian assets? Have you lifted oppressive sanctions? Have you given up mudslinging and making accusations against the great Iranian nation and its officials? Have you given up your unconditional support for the Zionist regime? Even the language remains unchanged," Khamenei said.

Khamenei, wearing a black turban and dark robes, said America was hated around the world for its arrogance, as the crowd chanted "Death to America."

Toward engagement?
Obama has signaled a willingness to speak directly with Iran about its nuclear program and hostility toward Israel, a key U.S. ally. At his inauguration last month, the president said his administration would reach out to rival states, declaring "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

"They say we have stretched a hand toward Iran. ... If a hand is stretched covered with a velvet glove but it is cast iron inside, that makes no sense," he said.

Khamenei said sanctions only served to make Iran self-reliant. Iran frequently boasts of achievements in various technological fields, including uranium enrichment, space technology, missiles and passenger and fighter plane production, despite sanctions.

"Sanctions benefited us. We have to thank the Americans in this sector. If sanctions had not been imposed, we would have not reached the point of progress and technology we are in now," he said.

© 2009 The Associated Press.

[Martinus]

Well, Obama's gesture didn't cost anything, but it may be enough to convince the fence sitters that the Iranian regime is evil.

I don't know whether Obama is so Machiavellian or so well-meaning (and perhaps somewhat naive) but either way his message I think was a good move.

Plus not all Iranians are evil either - many of them resent the islamist regime, but are nonetheless proud of their ancient civilization roots - the fact that the regime leaders reacted so quickly actually imo proves how afraid they are of Obama's message.

[The Brain]

a video message Obama released Friday in which he reached out to Iran

Great way of insulting people. Iranians do know how to read.

[grumbler]

Eh, what Khamenei says isn't all that significant.  He is playing to the home crowd.  What Obama needs to do is ignore the government and appeal directly to the populace, remembering that 60% of the population there is under 30, and the voting age in Iran is 16.  Foreign policy via youtube is actually possible with that demographic.

[DontSayBanana]

Eh, what Khamenei says isn't all that significant.  He is playing to the home crowd.  What Obama needs to do is ignore the government and appeal directly to the populace, remembering that 60% of the population there is under 30, and the voting age in Iran is 16.  Foreign policy via youtube is actually possible with that demographic.

Actually, from the partially-viral campaigning style we saw during the presidential elections, I'm surprised that he hasn't gone that route. More foot dragging from the west wing, perhaps?

[grumbler]

[Actually, from the partially-viral campaigning style we saw during the presidential elections, I'm surprised that he hasn't gone that route. More foot dragging from the west wing, perhaps?

I dare say he has bigger things on his plate right now.

[Ed Anger]

I dare say he has bigger things on his plate right now.

Like Fried Chicken.

[Sheilbh]

Also the Iranian regime seems to have been far more confused how to respond to Obama.  Initially they didn't say anything, then this happened and then there was another response saying Iran is, of course, willing to work with America if they make changes.

[CountDeMoney]

Eh, what Khamenei says isn't all that significant.  He is playing to the home crowd.  What Obama needs to do is ignore the government and appeal directly to the populace, remembering that 60% of the population there is under 30, and the voting age in Iran is 16.  Foreign policy via youtube is actually possible with that demographic.

I've determined that your kind of argument is for suckers years ago.  Wake the fuck up already.

[jimmy olsen]

Eh, what Khamenei says isn't all that significant.  He is playing to the home crowd.  What Obama needs to do is ignore the government and appeal directly to the populace, remembering that 60% of the population there is under 30, and the voting age in Iran is 16.  Foreign policy via youtube is actually possible with that demographic.

I've determined that your kind of argument is for suckers years ago.  Wake the fuck up already.

CountDeMoney! 

[grumbler]

I've determined that your kind of argument is for suckers years ago.  Wake the fuck up already.

Man, we missed this kind of ignorant babble while you were gone!    Monkeybutt tried to fill in, but his schtick really didn't make up for the loss, and Gral just cannot carry on your position with any cred.

Welcome back.

[Hansmeister]

Eh, what Khamenei says isn't all that significant.  He is playing to the home crowd.  What Obama needs to do is ignore the government and appeal directly to the populace, remembering that 60% of the population there is under 30, and the voting age in Iran is 16.  Foreign policy via youtube is actually possible with that demographic.

Unfortunately Obama did the opposite by failing to draw a distinction between the gov't of Iran and the people of Iran.  Obama in his message accepted that the gov't of Iran represents the people.  Carteresque in its stupidity.

[grumbler]

Eh, what Khamenei says isn't all that significant.  He is playing to the home crowd.  What Obama needs to do is ignore the government and appeal directly to the populace, remembering that 60% of the population there is under 30, and the voting age in Iran is 16.  Foreign policy via youtube is actually possible with that demographic.

Unfortunately Obama did the opposite by failing to draw a distinction between the gov't of Iran and the people of Iran.  Obama in his message accepted that the gov't of Iran represents the people.  Carteresque in its stupidity.

True enough, although Khamenei isn't technically part of the Iranian government.  Not that the elected government is representative of the people either, given that only candidates approved of by the Guardian Council are allowed to run for any office.

[Neil]

True enough, although Khamenei isn't technically part of the Iranian government.  Not that the elected government is representative of the people either, given that only candidates approved of by the Guardian Council are allowed to run for any office.

The government is as close a thing as there is.  And that's making the assumption that the opinion of the Iranian people matters, which is arguable.

[grumbler]

The government is as close a thing as there is. 

Not sure what you are saying.

And that's making the assumption that the opinion of the Iranian people matters, which is arguable.

It doesn't, which is the point.  China is more "democratic" than Iran.  Talk to people who have been there recently.  Basically, the Iranian people (with some notable exceptions) pretty much dismiss anyone who is acceptable to the clerics as either a paid-for crook or a religious loon.