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Iran Complains to UN About Clinton Comments
May 02, 2008 8:19 AM
"75% Off Giuliani and Romney"
…or so says a sign atop a basket of buttons in the sundry shop at The Westin Indianapolis.
Buttons for Clinton, McCain and Obama remain sold at regular price; the GOP also-ran pins are priced-to-move.
**
It's tough to poll in Indiana, I am told, since voters do not register by party.
That said, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, seems to have an edge here, at least as evidenced by her endorsement by the editorial board of the Indianapolis Star, which today says she "is well prepared for the rigors of the White House. She is tough, experienced and realistic about what can and cannot be accomplished on the world stage."
(Two caveats, per the Star -- "Clinton regrettably has pandered more to voters, particularly on gas prices, than Obama. Both have taken stands on free trade that give in to protectionism. Clinton also was an integral part of her husband's political machine, which earned a reputation for flattening opponents. That factor understandably gives many voters pause about whether another Clinton should serve as president.")
**
One wonders about Clinton's heralded experience when one reads headlines abroad.
Her comments to Good Morning America's Chris Cuomo about Iran a couple weeks ago raised proverbial eyebrows.
As you may recall, Clinton said that were Iran to attack Israel with nuclear weapons, "I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president, we will attack Iran…In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."
On Wednesday Iran's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi complained to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the president of the Security Council, saying in a letter that her comments were "provocative, unwarranted and irresponsible" as well as, according to the official Iranian news agency, a "blatant violation of the UN Charter and contradictory to all international legal principles on rights of other nations."
Across the pond, former UN deputy secretary-general Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, the British foreign office minister responsible for Asia, told reporters that "while it is reasonable to warn Iran of the consequence of it continuing to develop nuclear weapons and what those real consequences bring to its security, it is not probably prudent... in today's world to threaten to obliterate any other country and in many cases civilians resident in such a country."
Clinton in 1999, you may recall, called another international dust-up for the opposite reason -- she sat by as Suha Arafat (speaking in Arabic) accused Israel of poisoning Palestinians, then gave Mrs. Arafat a kiss on the cheek. Clinton later said the translation of what Arafat was saying sounded less harsh, and she condemned "inflammatory rhetoric" and "baseless accusations."
After Clinton launched her 2000 Senate campaign, Republicans later attempted to make hay out of the incident to obviously little success.
- jpt
May 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (89)
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You can surely tell the difference between the people on here who read and find out things for themselves vs those that get their info from fauxnews. They believe everything them white guys tell them. Then too they could just be using that as a way to hide behind their still blatant racism. A vote for Hillary now is a vote for McCain in the general election. Please find out stuff for yourself and stop letting Hillary treat you all like puppets on a string. If she wins I feel sorry for us all.
Posted by: Caddycts | May 4, 2008 5:36:40 PM
a few basic FACTS for some ignorant people here
1) Iran has not "repeatedly" called for israel to be wiped off the map. Fact: iran's president was mistranslated during a speech, once, saying that. iran certainly does not like israel, but if you actually listen to ahmadinejad's speeches (not just short clips from the mainstream media), he always talks about israel collapsing into itself, and not about any external force
2) it is not proven that iran has a nuclear weapon's program. remember saddam's "wmd's". what is has is a civilian nuclear energy program
3) iran has made it quite clear they would not attack israel unless israel attacked them first
4) even if we accept iran having repeatedly made belligerent comments, this does not justify hillary clinton doing so
Posted by: george | May 3, 2008 10:42:57 PM
There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING 4 Iran 2 worry about from what Hillary said unless they are trully intending to develop a nuclear weapon for the use of lauching a nuclear attack on Israel. It is a DETTERENT policy, like that used in the Cold War with America and Russia establishing a Mutually Assured Destruction policy, where both nations still exist along with their allies because they wouldn't risk the consequences of pressing the nuclear button. Obama said the same policy in the ABC debate but Hillary's words were more explicit. There is no intention to go to war, but should development of nuclear weapons not be prevented at a time when Hillary and Obama aim to reduce nuclear proliferation, then that is the established detterent policy.
Posted by: rekha varma | May 3, 2008 9:48:03 AM
I want a strong leader like Hillary representing our country. I don't want some mealy mouthed little namby pamby like Obama holding hands with America's worst enemies and selling the interests of the USA down the river!
Posted by: HoosierSue | May 3, 2008 9:04:25 AM
So, Clinton should have said, "If Iran attacks Israel (thus starting WW3) the US should sit down and have some tea with Iran?!? Every year in its military parades, Iran marches missiles down the street that have "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" painted on them. All of you who care about the "lovely people of Iran" should think twice about voting for anyone who would allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Iran is already a humanitarian nightmare for its own people (imprisoning, torturing, and executing journalists, students and anyone who disagrees with the individuals in power). A nuclear Iran would feel free to treat its people even worse, figuring the international community would be too scared of nuclear war to step in to defend the Iranian people against their (increasingly dictatorial) government.
Posted by: George R | May 3, 2008 8:21:56 AM
I have been reading all these posts and I am so saddened to outraged with clinton's statements about Iran. The Iraian people are just like you and I,they don't deserve that. It is no wonder that the United States is hated----------we are looked upon as the bullies. i hope the UN acts on her statement. The sad fact is that the voters think she is tough and she will make a better president. Thats really sad. the STUPID idea of a tax relief for the simmer months!!!!!!!!!!!!. Say anything,do anything to get the vote. She went to Valpariso to visit the closed plant and blames it on Bush when in truth it was her own husband that was responsible for that caper. Her screw um comments about southern people. She says Rev Wright would not be her pastor when infact her own pastor is in jail for inapproriate behavior with a minor. Who did slick willie call to the wh when the Lewsinky story broke to act as his spiritual advisor---------YES Rev Wright. What about the trial in progress against her and slick willie. You never hear about that. ________________________
Posted by: elizabeth | May 3, 2008 8:19:28 AM
Don't you love the fact that Iran keeps calling for Israel to be wiped of the map, that it says it would attack Israel if anyone attacked Iran, and then when someone who is candidate for president (but not president) says the US could attack Iran if it attacked Israel Iran goes running like a crybaby to the UN? Iran has been sposoring terrorism, sending weapons to Iraq to kill Iraqi civilians and coaltion forces, and proclaiming to Iranians "We are the number one superpower in the world." They believe they are untouchable bullies who can get away with whatever they want. I don't support Hilary Clinton but her comments about Iran don't deserve all the outrage people are giving her. Basically, whoever was against her to start with is mad at the comments, of course.
Posted by: Shirin | May 3, 2008 7:55:20 AM
I have been reading all these posts and I am so saddened to outraged with clinton's statements about Iran. The Iraian people are just like you and I,they don't deserve that. It is no wonder that the United States is hated----------we are looked upon as the bullies. i hope the UN acts on her statement. The sad fact is that the voters think she is tough and she will make a better president. Thats really sad. the STUPID idea of a tax relief for the simmer months!!!!!!!!!!!!. Say anything,do anything to get the vote. She went to Valpariso to visit the closed plant and blames it on Bush when in truth it was her own husband that was responsible for that caper. Her screw um comments about southern people. She says Rev Wright would not be her pastor when infact her own pastor is in jail for inapproriate behavior with a minor. Who did slick willie call to the wh when the Lewsinky story broke to act as his spiritual advisor---------YES Rev Wright. What about the trial in progress against her and slick willie. You never hear about that. ________________________
Posted by: elizabeth | May 3, 2008 6:52:23 AM
I am Iranian and HC's comments to me are just immature, what would this election alter in the foreign policy of United States if HC is elected? Please remember that at the moment America is one of the most detested nations around the world!!! Are you going to bring more war and misery to the world? Are you going to cause more bloodshed? "obliterate" Iran? Open your eyes, in today's world the use of an A-bomb is not pragmatic, bombing Iran would actuate ww3. Are you so naive as to think Iran would attack Israel? What was the last time Iran attacked another country? Are HC's comments an indication of "testicular fortitude" or absurdity?
Posted by: Roozbeh Afrasiabi | May 3, 2008 1:33:17 AM
I am Iranian and HC's comments to me are just immature, what would this election alter in the foreign policy of United States if HC is elected? Please remember that at the moment America is one of the most detested nations around the world!!! Are you going to bring more war and misery to the world? Are you going to cause more bloodshed? "obliterate" Iran? Open your eyes, in today's world the use of an A-bomb is not pragmatic, bombing Iran would actuate ww3. Are you so naive as to think Iran would attack Israel? What was the last time Iran attacked another country? Are HC's comments an indication of "testicular fortitude" or absurdity?
Posted by: Roozbeh Afrasiabi | May 3, 2008 1:31:35 AM
Hillary's comments were not directed at the Iranian people but the Iranian government...which speaking of loose cannons...
Thanks Hillary for showing some
"testicular fortitude". It took B.O., too long (and too many flip-flops on what he knew and when he knew it) to dump Rev. Wright.
For those of you who don't have a clue, including B.O.,Iran is NOT an ally of the USA.
Posted by: debunker | May 2, 2008 11:02:37 PM
i travelled to iran for the first time and saw for myself that iranians are the best friends that USA has right now. in the middle east and anywhere else, when they see us americans they flinch. but in iran it is quite different. this country is the most misunderstood nation in the whole world. i am sorry for the people who believe the picture that our media have depicted of this beautiful land of culture and poetry. just try to go and see it with your eyes. then travel to the UAE and Saudi Arabia and compare their people with iranians.
clinton's remark was rash and full of unnecessary female emotions.
Posted by: Smokri | May 2, 2008 10:42:55 PM
Clinton is Political Clown.
But if she will misspoke again and press the button...
That it would be far away from circus, but a hell.
Now - you gonna vote ?
Posted by: LINDA,FL | May 2, 2008 10:28:43 PM
I wonder what Kanter calls the Persian people.
Hillary is sick. The Iranians are not a threat. I have been listening to her lies about Iran and how she feeds peoples prejudiced emotions.
Posted by: Anna | May 2, 2008 8:43:51 PM
What is this word "TOUGHER" ? Is the rest of this world are thugs and bunch of idiots that we have to be TOUGH on them? So, by the argument of tougher should win all the thugs, drug dealers and bullies on the street have the right and the one who can not fight them on the street should suck it up because tougher should win. On the other hand if the smarter and more politically inclined that can resolve the problems peacefully wins then there is no need for killing and this unnecessary TOUGHNESS!
Posted by: cy | May 2, 2008 7:55:48 PM
I cerainly think that Senator Clinton would be tougher on the foreign nations who would do harm to the US. Senator Obama is a loose cannon. Don't know which direction he would shoot. He seems to favor Muslim countries maybe even thinks he can change Iran policies toward the West.
Again, Obama has no foreign or even domestic service to brag about. His resume is empty of accomplishments.
Posted by: Mary | May 2, 2008 5:55:32 PM
Now, that GOP Knows they can not win the election, they are backing the Democrat GOP that is Hillary ( do you remember Joe LIEberman?) to keep Washington policies and business as usual. She has won the endorsement of FOX channel WOW!!! The full media propaganda machine is at its full force to not allow Obama become the elected Democrat nominee.
Posted by: cy | May 2, 2008 4:40:39 PM
I have a single reason to not vote for Hillary or McCain. It’s their stupid foreign policies. The aggressive and warmongering policies are what I’m talking about.
Hillary is reading poll to see which way to cast her vote. If war popular vote yes, if not popular say you were mislead or vote against it.
No sound principle whatsoever. I can't stand her two-faced split-tongue personality.
Posted by: My America | May 2, 2008 3:22:37 PM
And who is doing business in Iran right now? General Electric! No wonder Obama wants to have talks with Ahmedinajed!
Posted by: rs | May 2, 2008 1:58:55 PM
Obama has such a boatload of dirty friends……drip…drip if that boat springs a leak…watch out. Look at Rezko on trial right now. Rezko, as a real estate magnate in Chicago, was given a contract for 3 energy plants to be built in Iraq…. through our government. The plants were never built because Rezko got indicted, but NO DOUBT that Senator Obama helped Rezko GET that contract for Rezko. Not to mention that Axelrod was a lobbyist for Exelon (and the later nuclear legislation with no teeth), or that much of the $$$ loans came through General Electric Financial. Who have been large contributors to Obama’s campaigns, General Electric and Exelon! Who owns one of the largest loan insurance and credit card companies in America, General Electric. Who voted for unlimited credit limits and voted against a 30% cap on credit cards? Obama! Obama said he voted against the 30% cap because it was too high. Apparently NO cap is better than a cap that’s too high. Who owns NBC and MSNBC the home of all anti-Hillary all the time? General Electric! Who owns Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Tim Russert and Andrea Mitchell? General Electric! Could it be Obama's speech against the war in Iraq had nothing to do with his personal ideology but business interests?
Posted by: rs | May 2, 2008 1:55:01 PM
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