Iranian University Chancellors Ask Bollinger 10 Questions (protest at your impolite remarks)

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Seven chancellors and presidents of Iranian universities and research centers, in a letter addressed to their counterpart in the US Colombia University, denounced Lee Bollinger's insulting words against the Iranian nation and president and invited him to provide responses for 10 questions of the Iranian academicians and intellectuals.

We, the professors and heads of universities and research institutions in Tehran , hereby announce our displeasure and protest at your impolite remarks prior to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent speech at Columbia University.

We would like to inform you that President Ahmadinejad was elected directly by the Iranian people through an enthusiastic two-round poll in which almost all of the country's political parties and groups participated. To assess the quality and nature of these elections you may refer to US news reports on the poll dated June 2005.

Your insult, in a scholarly atmosphere, to the president of a country with a population of 72 million and a recorded history of 7,000 years of civilization and culture is deeply shameful.

Your comments, filled with hate and disgust, may well have been influenced by extreme pressure from the media, but it is regrettable that media policy-makers can determine the stance a university president adopts in his speech.

Your remarks about our country included unsubstantiated accusations that were the product of guesswork as well as media propaganda. Some of your claims result from misunderstandings that can be clarified through dialogue and further research.

During his speech, Mr. Ahmadinejad answered a number of your questions and those of students. We are prepared to answer any remaining questions in a scientific, open and direct debate.

You asked the president approximately ten questions. Allow us to ask you ten of our own questions in the hope that your response will help clear the atmosphere of misunderstanding and distrust between our two countries and reveal the truth.

1- Why did the US media put you under so much pressure to prevent Mr. Ahmadinejad from delivering his speech at Columbia University? And why have American TV networks been broadcasting hours of news reports insulting our president while refusing to allow him the opportunity to respond? Is this not against the principle of freedom of speech?

2- Why, in 1953, did the US administration overthrow the Iran's national government under Dr Mohammad Mosaddegh and go on to support the Shah's dictatorship?

3- Why did the US support the blood-thirsty dictator Saddam Hussein during the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war on Iran, considering his reckless use of chemical weapons against Iranian soldiers defending their land and even against his own people?

4- Why is the US putting pressure on the government elected by the majority of Palestinians in Gaza instead of officially recognizing it? And why does it oppose Iran 's proposal to resolve the 60-year-old Palestinian issue through a general referendum?

5- Why has the US military failed to find Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden even with all its advanced equipment? How do you justify the old friendship between the Bush and Bin Laden families and their cooperation on oil deals? How can you justify the Bush administration's efforts to disrupt investigations concerning the September 11 attacks?

6- Why does the US administration support the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) despite the fact that the group has officially and openly accepted the responsibility for numerous deadly bombings and massacres in Iran and Iraq? Why does the US refuse to allow Iran 's current government to act against the MKO's main base in Iraq?

7- Was the US invasion of Iraq based on international consensus and did international institutions support it? What was the real purpose behind the invasion which has claimed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives? Where are the weapons of mass destruction that the US claimed were being stockpiled in Iraq?

8- Why do America's closest allies in the Middle East come from extremely undemocratic governments with absolutist monarchical regimes?

9- Why did the US oppose the plan for a Middle East free of unconventional weapons in the recent session of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors despite the fact the move won the support of all members other than Israel?

10- Why is the US displeased with Iran's agreement with the IAEA and why does it openly oppose any progress in talks between Iran and the agency to resolve the nuclear issue under international law?

Finally, we would like to express our readiness to invite you and other scientific delegations to our country. A trip to Iran would allow you and your colleagues to speak directly with Iranians from all walks of life including intellectuals and university scholars. You could then assess the realities of Iranian society without media censorship before making judgments about the Iranian nation and government.

You can be assured that Iranians are very polite and hospitable toward their guests.

10 questions for the 10 questions:

1. If you are so concerned about freedom of speech, why does your country round up and punish those who speak out against their govt?

2. If the Iranians dispise dictatorships so much, why did they then simply exchange one, and arguably more brutal, ditatorship for another?

3. Why did Iran declare war on us and take our citizens hostage, become our enemy and forcing us to take Saddam’s side reduce the Iranian threat?

4. Why does the Iranian govt support Palistinian sovereignty when that govt has sworn to destroy another sovereign nation, the state of Israel, and refuses to recognize it’s sovereignty?

5. If Iran wants bin Laden found so badly, why does it then aid the Taliban against the U.S.? How do you justify ties between Iran and unapologetic terrorist groups like Hezbollah? How does Iran justify disruptions in our operation in Iraq? Why does Iran care if we toppled Saddam if he was their enemy?

6. Again, why does Iran support Hezbollah and other terrorist groups? Why does Iran obstruct U.S. attempts to go after terrorist bases in the Middle East?

7. Does Iran’s nuclear program have int’l consensus? What’s the real purpose of their nuclear program? If Iran is so concerned about finding WMD and int’l consensus, why doesn’t it open it’s country to the U.N. to investigate it’s uranium enrichment work to world satisfaction?

8. Why is your govt an undemocratic dictatorship? Why aren’t the mullahs elected or turn total power over to the state?

9. If you are so concerned about unconventional weapons in the Middle East, why do you keep manufacturing them for your own country and share knowledge with other dictatorships in the region?

10. Why does Iran oppose the U.S. alliance to Israel and oppose solving issue with Israel under int’l law?

In response, I offer my humble services...

1- Why did the US media put you under so much pressure to prevent Mr. Ahmadinejad from delivering his speech at Columbia University? Because he is a terrorist from a terrorism-supporting regime which is engaged in killing American soldiers. And why have American TV networks been broadcasting hours of news reports insulting our president while refusing to allow him the opportunity to respond? See prior response. Is this not against the principle of freedom of speech? Freedom of speech is the ideal of man, a right endowed in us by God and enshrined in our Constitution with special protection. Perhaps this is best answered by a question back to you: why do you demand a right from us you don't allow to your own people?

2- Why, in 1953, did the US administration overthrow the Iran's national government under Dr Mohammad Mosaddegh and go on to support the Shah's dictatorship?

We never claimed to be perfect. Hindsight is much easier when making earth-changing decisions. At the time, this choice seemed to be best to keep stability in the region and promote our nation interest.

Ahhh... this is one for the ill-informed. You seem to forget that we supported both of you. You didn't make those F-5s and F-14s yourselves. Our policy was one of stability. Depleting the personnel and resources of two dangerous enemies was a bonus.

4- Why is the US putting pressure on the government elected by the majority of Palestinians in Gaza instead of officially recognizing it? Because they are a terrorist organization bent on the destruction of their sovereign neighbor. And why does it oppose Iran 's proposal to resolve the 60-year-old Palestinian issue through a general referendum? On this one, I'm guessing... I haven't read the referendum. My guess is, though, that your solution is to get rid of Israel... that was established about 60 years ago wasn't it? That would make this a really stupid question.

5- Why has the US military failed to find Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden even with all its advanced equipment? I'm guessing you are helping him hide. Rather than taunting us, why don't you help? Oh, that's right... you aren't on our side. How do you justify the old friendship between the Bush and Bin Laden families and their cooperation on oil deals? I don't. But it is clear where you are getting your talking points. How can you justify the Bush administration's efforts to disrupt investigations concerning the September 11 attacks? It's abundantly clear where you are getting your talking points...

6- Why does the US administration support the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) despite the fact that the group has officially and openly accepted the responsibility for numerous deadly bombings and massacres in Iran and Iraq? Don't know. Are they helping us get rid of Al Qaeda in Iraq? Are they helping subvert your terrorist regime? These could be the reasons. Why does the US refuse to allow Iran 's current government to act against the MKO's main base in Iraq? Oooo... this one's a toughie. I'll go out on a limb and suggest the answer might be because you would be violating Iraq's sovereign borders... and you are led by a terrorist regime which is killing American troops. You are not welcome there.

7- Was the US invasion of Iraq based on international consensus and did international institutions support it? Not entirely. We led the world to this action based on the facts agreed upon by the rest of the world. There were those who opposed us for either their own self-interests or their lack of fortitude. In the end, they authorized the action in Resolution 1441 and fomented the need for the action in emboldening Saddam Hussein to ignore its demands. What was the real purpose behind the invasion which has claimed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives? Liberation from an oppressive regime which had hostile intent toward our national interests. We couldn't wait until this regime acquired nuclear weapons and made the resultant action much worse for all involved. Do these circumstances sound familiar? We also finished the first Gulf War since Saddam Hussein never upheld any of the cease-fire agreements. Where are the weapons of mass destruction that the US claimed were being stockpiled in Iraq? Remember that little bombing mission by Israel recently? Keep an eye on future actions for an answer to your question.

8- Why do America's closest allies in the Middle East come from extremely undemocratic governments with absolutist monarchical regimes?

You mean like Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan? Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are allies for their own protection and the protection of our energy markets. Who should we be allies with? Iran? Syria?

If all of the Islamic fighters in the middle east laid down their arms, there would be no more fighting. If Israel lays down her arms, there will be no more Israel.

10- Why is the US displeased with Iran's agreement with the IAEA and why does it openly oppose any progress in talks between Iran and the agency to resolve the nuclear issue under international law?

Hey, we aren't the ones threatening to blow entire countries off the map. Show yourselves to be lovers of peace and champions of the rights of men... then we'll talk. In the meantime, no terrorist-supporting regime will be allowed nuclear weapons. Bank on it.

Allow me...

That was actually three questions. #1. Well, you should probably ask members of the US media. But I would guess that when 200+ million Americans find something disturbing...it is by default news and something that they report on.

#2. Because that is how they chose to report, again...you might want to ask them. and finally #3 [of #1] no.

2- Why, in 1953, did the US administration overthrow the Iran's national government under Dr Mohammad Mosaddegh and go on to support the Shah's dictatorship?

Because Mossadegh dissolved the Iranian parliament using a referendum in order to desperately avoid being impeached. This was determined to be be unconstitutional by some of his closest allies as well as opponents, and led to the Shah's dismissing him from office on August 16, 1953. Instead of acting honorably and obeying established law, Mossadegh attempted to maintain power, and as a result, was removed by military intervention.

Because choosing him was the lesser of two evils. Thank God we did and thank God Hussein and the Iraqis were able to slaughter a generation of crazed iranian men & boys [that we now do not have to deal with].

That is five questions so far.

Again, multiple questions...but I'll suffer you a little longer. #1 because that government is a terrorist organization...like yours. And #2. Because your proposal is counter-productive to our interests in the region.

That makes seven.

"5- Why has the US military failed to find Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden even with all its advanced equipment? How do you justify the old friendship between the Bush and Bin Laden families and their cooperation on oil deals? How can you justify the Bush administration's efforts to disrupt investigations concerning the September 11 attacks?

Ugh...can persian acedemics count? Anyway, #1 You assume we havent. #2. I dont justify it. I do not have to. #3. I'd need an example.

That's ten questions, thanks for submitting them. I guess.

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