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(THE DAILY NEWS ZW) Ahmadinejad slams ‘arrogant West’

Ahmadinejad slams ‘arrogant West’
By Pindai Dube
April 24, 2010

BULAWAYO – Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will stand firm alongside Zimbabwe in the fight against what he described as arrogant countries. In apparent reference to Western nations, Ahmadinejad said such countries deprived developing nations of peace.

President Robert Mugabe and President Ahmadinejad have faced immense criticism from the West after both retained power through highly disputed presidential elections. Zimbabwe and Iran have also been criticised for poor human rights records.

Mugabe and his close associates are under targeted Western sanctions while Iran is facing pressure from the West to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can produce either a warhead or fuel for a nuclear reactor.

But the sabre-rattling leaders pledged solidarity in the fight against the West.

“God wants all the people of all nations to be respected, to be distinguished and to be loved,” Ahmadinejad said in his address in Bulawayo, where he was the guest of honour at Zimbabwe’s 2010 trade exhibition
“He wants people to live in peace in a world of sincerity and brotherhood.

“Unfortunately some of the arrogant states do not abide by this rule and deprive people of their rights; they have bad behaviour and want to control all the nations; but Iran and Zimbabwe have decided to stand firm against them.”

Ahmadinejad – whose visit riled the mainstream Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) – later slammed the United Nations (UN) at a banquet held for him by Mugabe at State House.

“Unfortunately the United Nations Security Council, which is supposed to serve the whole world, has been used by the powerful as an instrument to increase pressure on our countries,” he said.

“I condemn all Satanic pressures imposed on Zimbabwe and these powerful countries are doomed; they will not be successful.

Mugabe, during the same function, said he backed Iran ’s controversial nuclear programmes.

Ahmadinejad arrived in Zimbabwe on Thursday for a two-day visit to discuss bilateral and trade relations with Mugabe.

Zimbabwe’s trade exhibition has over the years lost its glamour as international exhibitors, mainly from Europe, have been shunning the showcase due to the volatile political situation in the country.

At its peak, the ZITF attracted dozens of international exhibitors from the West and the European Union (EU) and brought together multi-sectoral interests across the whole business sectors, mining, hospitality and tourism, among others.

Labels: MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, NEOCOLONIALISM, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:02 PM