The former Iranian president, Mohammed Khatami visited Harverd this weekend at the JFK School of Government, to speak about Ethics and geopolitcial policy; as the title of the event suggests "Ethics of Tolerance in an Age of Violence".

To no ones suprise, there was heavy opposition here, and several right-wing groups advocated his forcible flight from America. The most outspoken speaker, one again, to no ones suprise, Mitt Romney. "on the eve of the fifth anniversary of 9-11".

There are several critisims I can give the aggression here.
For one, reconsilliation between Iran and America is essential on the eve of an impending conflict between both states, and no time would be more apropros.

Although the common preconception of Iranian politicians is that they're fanatic mulluhs/ayatolas, a small amount of research would prove evident that Khatami was a reformist, and he, himself, was met with fierce resistance from the hard-liners. Wikipedia Entry about Khatami

I honestly believe that Mitt Romney's motive for calling his own Fatwah was both influenced by politics and ignorance. Due to his former representation of a state in the current 'axis of evil', he is branded as a terrorist sympathizer. Its the equivilent of Clinton traveling to North Korea and getting branded as a war-monger simply due to the Bush-administration's foreign policy. (Clinton invested alot of time in peace talks with Kim Jon Il). Of course, with ambitions to become president himself, Romney used this as a patriotic litmus-test.

It is a microcausm to the rise in tension between both nations. When one hands over the olive branch, the other snaps it in half. They are both guilty.

I attempted to record some of the more poignent dialouge during the question/answer phase. At times it was arduous to follow: Khatami required a translator to convey his answers.

His views on terror cells


"Those who put others through hell will never goto heaven"


Although it may sound like he paid lip-service with very diplomatic answers, he did reveal his views on Hezbollah when confronted by a student about "Iranian support of Hezbollah, and other terrorist factions". By citing an analogy to the french resistance during WW2, he describes the differences between insurgency and terrorism. "Hezbollah is a symbol of Lebonese Resistance". He also dismissed the allegations that his state financially supports them.


"Anyone who condones terrorist activities should be condemned. But we should not write-off jusitified resistance as terrorism-"

And then he counter-heckles the student

"-And when we say things we should have proof and not just allegations"


Nuclear energy and inspectors: // NPT


"During my presidency we have implimented an additional protocal: it allowed for snap-inspections and inspections that were different nature, ( we have ceased the volentary nature of that."


The causes of the Iraq War haunt that statement. In liu of inspections, the US still rattles its sabre.

"Inspections are still going on in complete force."


Regarding the holocaust cartoon exhibition. He exposes the myth that denial of the holocaust is Iranian Policy.
His answer alludes to the Refugee Camps in Palistine.

The Holocaust is a tragity, but the holocaust has become a tool to inflict injustice on other people. Infact, it should be used as a tool to aliviate injustice.


He also assuages the myth of modicum freedom in Iran, by citing freedom of expression.

There are the same freedoms here, There were lots of protests against me, this freedom of expression exists in Iran as well, but you cannot take (the exhibition) as the official policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Although Mitt Romney and other hardliners were opposed, even George W. Bush seemed optomistic about the event


"I'm interested in learning more about Iran, the iranian govt
how they think, what people in govt think, i hope today theres pretty good evidence that harvard are intrested in the same questions. and that this is the beginign of a dialogue."


Posted at 4:08 PM

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