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Iran Inaugurates President Hassan Rohani
by Stephen Lendman
On June 14, Iranians elected Rohani decisively. He won a clear first round majority. He'll serve four years. He's head of state.
Obama failed to congratulate him. He hasn't recognized his legitimacy. He's a longtime distinguished leader. He's held numerous high level positions.
He combines diplomacy, politics and scholarship. He's called the "Diplomat Sheikh." He's written many books, articles and research papers.
He urges peace and reconciliation. He promises "government of hope and prudence." He pledged "constructive interaction with the world."
He faces enormous challenges. US/Israeli imperialism matters most. It's lawless. It's belligerent. It's destructive. It's unrelenting.
It targets independent governments. It wants satraps replacing responsible leaders. It wants subservient pro-Western states in place of sovereign ones.
On August 3, The New York Times headlined "Iran's President Puts New Focus on the Economy," saying:
On Saturday, Rohani vowed "to work with the outside world to lift 'oppressive sanctions" They're illegal. They harm ordinary Iranians most.
"People called for change and improvement in their living standards. They want to live better," said Rohani.
The Washington Post headlined "Iran's new president takes oath of office, asks West to abandon 'language of sanctions.' "
He hopes to ease economic pressure on his people. He asked foreign leaders to respect Iran responsibly. Negotiate fairly, he stressed, saying:
"If you seek a suitable answer, speak to Iran through the language of respect, not through the language of sanctions."
Negotiations require "bilateral trust building, mutual respect and the lessening of hostilities."
Sunday's inaugural was impressive. Leaders and other officials from over 50 countries attended. They did so for the first time since Iran's 1979 revolution. They came to pay respect.
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei officially endorsed Rohani publicly. He did so during a Saturday ceremony.
Rohani promised responsible leadership. "The Iran that (its enemies) predicted would be dragged into internal dispute and face a chasm between the system and the people according to their plans created a great epic and disappointed (them) through the vibrant participation of people from all walks of life," he said.
Iranians expect leaders to create stability, allay their concerns, and resolve problems responsibly, he added.
"I believe that the power of the government lies in strengthening popular support and fulfilling the pledges made to the people. This commitment requires loyalty and honesty with the people."
The electoral outcome "was not the result of a chasm between the people and the ruling system since the Iranian people chose a person as president who had serious responsibilities for years in the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
"The election demonstrated the Iranian people's pursuit of dignity."
"The orientation of the administration is toward saving Iran’s economy, interacting with the world constructively, and reviving morality."
"We will take new steps for the elevation of the status of the Iranian people, while serving national interests, and for the removal of the sanctions."
He'll pursue a moderate path. He prioritizes improving living standards. He'll avoid "hasty" decisions.
After his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei said efforts should address economic and scientific issues.
"Political (ones) are also important. I approve of the comments that the respected president made in regard to dealing wisely with various international issues, political issues, issues concerning international relations, etc."
"But this should be done with a wise and foresighted approach."
"However, we have enemies who do not understand the language of logic."
They "have been unable to undermine the foundations of the Islamic system or prevent the country from making progress."
He praised Rohani. He stressed his sincere efforts. He served Iran responsibly throughout the post-1979 period.
Friday was Quds Day. It's commemorated on Ramadan's last day. It expresses solidarity with Occupied Palestinians.
It opposes Israeli control of Jerusalem. It's a universally recognized international city. It's been so since 1947. Quds is its Arabic name.
Rohani addressed the occasion. He was misquoted. It's done repeatedly. It's done irresponsibly.
Western leaders twist his words. They do so against other independent leaders. It's done for political advantage. Media scoundrels repeat Big Lies irresponsibly. They do it repeatedly.
They're addicted to lying. Perhaps they lost perspective. Maybe they can't distinguish between fact and fiction.
They misquoted Rohani calling Israel "a wound that needs to be removed." Netanyahu responded saying:
"We are standing 100% by our (earlier) statement regarding Rohani. We knew the Iranians would hurry to deny it, but we are not retracting our statement."
"Rohani has shown his true colors sooner than expected. This is what the man thinks and it is the action plan of the Iranian regime."
"There is a new president, but the goal of the regime has not changed - to develop nuclear weapons to threaten Israel, the Middle East and peace and security in the entire world."
He's unrelating. He menaces world peace. He heads a nuclear armed and dangerous regime. It's Israel's most extremist in history.
It's why today is the most perilous time in world history.
Rohani's a different kind of leader. His inaugural speech showed it. So did his Quds day comments.
Accurately translated, he said:
"Quds day, which is in memorial of Imam (Khomeini), is a day that people present the unity of Islam against any type of oppression or aggression."
"And in any case, in our region, it is an old wound that has been sitting on the body of the Islamic world, in the shadow of the occupation of the holy land of Palestine and the dear Quds."
"And this day, in fact, is a remembrance that Muslim people will not forget this historical right and will always stand against oppression and aggression."
He spoke accurately, responsibly and honestly. Occupied Palestine's a "woundon the body of the Islamic world." It affects humanity.
It's scandalous. It's oppressive. It demands undoing. It's essential for equity, justice and peace.
A Final Comment
Since 1979, America's been hostile to Iran. Obama refuses to recognize Rohani's legitimacy.
On August 4, a duplicitous White House statement headlined "Statement by the Press Secretary on the Inauguration of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran," saying:
"On the occasion of Dr. Hojjatoleslam Hassan Rouhani’s inauguration today as the Islamic Republic of Iran's seventh president, we again congratulate the Iranian people for making their voices heard during Iran’s election."
"We note that President Rouhani recognized his election represented a call by the Iranian people for change, and we hope the new Iranian government will heed the will of the voters by making choices that will lead to a better life for the Iranian people."
"The inauguration of President Rouhani presents an opportunity for Iran to act quickly to resolve the international community’s deep concerns over Iran's nuclear program."
"Should this new government choose to engage substantively and seriously to meet its international obligations and find a peaceful solution to this issue, it will find a willing partner in the United States."
Obama addressed Iranians. He spurned Rohani. He did so irresponsibly. Tehran prioritizes peace and stability.
It wants equitable relations with all nations. It wants constructive change. Washington's no honest partner.
Permanent war is official policy. Independent governments aren't tolerated. Advancing America's imperium matters most.
On August 4, Syria's President Assad congratulated Rohani. He urged boosting strategic relations.
He stressed doing so "in all fields." He encouraged it for mutual interests. Unity's effective resistance.
Rohani condemned Western-sponsored terrorists. They're waging war on Syria. He's confident they'll lose. He urges peaceful conflict resolution.
He thanked Assad for his genuine support. He said both countries stand united. They're together against common challenges. Resistance is their best defense.
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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity
http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com
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