The rationale of Richard Bulliet

Although he didn't get in the news much, the man who orchestrated the Ahmadinejad visit was none other than domestic animal and ancient wheel expert (and Iranian history specialist) Richard W. Bulliet. Bwog sat down in his posh office in the Middle East Institute to ask him about his reactions to the speech and his reactions to the reactions to the speech. He had a lot to say in between writing an op-ed for The Washington Post and getting ready for a Ramadan iftar with the president of Turkey and Hillary Clinton. Bulliet being Bulliet, his comments used up our tape. Here's what he said-- in the first hour, anyways. Read More here: http://www.bwog.net/articles/bulliet_again

Gary Sick: Iranian Leader Sees Trip to New York as ‘Successful’

Gary Sick: Iranian Leader Sees Trip to New York as ‘Successful’
Interviewee:
Gary G. Sick, executive director of the Gulf/2000 Project, Columbia University
Gary G. Sick, a longtime Iranian expert who served on the Ford, Carter, and Reagan National Security Councils, says that he believes President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regards his visit to the United Nations and New York City as "successful" because it allowed him to get his views out to a wide audience, and particularly to "people in the Islamic world and the Middle East, especially Arabs." Sick says an opportunity for a dialogue between Iran and the United States may have to wait until 2009 when there will be a new U.S. president, and possibly a new Iranian president. He does not think the United States will attack Iran militarily.... Read More Here: http://www.cfr.org/publication/14309/

From Columbia Students

This story appeared in The Morningside Post written by Columbia University students and It is is interesting:

Bollinger's Belligerence: SIPA Students Respond to Ahmadinejad Talk
Mujda Amini, MIA 2008
Jacqueline Carpenter, MIA 2008
Maryum Saifee, MIA 2007
David Trilling, MIA 2008

Yesterday, Lee Bollinger referred to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a "petty and cruel dictator" and openly doubted whether Mahmoud Ahmedinajad would have the "intellectual courage" to answer the questions posed. In the history of the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University, no guest has ever been treated with such contempt and disrespect.

In contrast, earlier yesterday President Bollinger introduced the President of Turkmenistan, also an autocrat with a dismal human rights record, with a tone of cordiality expected in a forum with a head of state. Why the difference between the two? Could it be the massive media attention present at the second forum inspired Bollinger's belligerence? Could it be because, in the end, Bollinger cowed to the very political pressure he has claimed all week that he was defending free speech against? ... Read More Here

A conversation with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Charlie Rose Interview with Ahmadinejad is much more diplomatic. Listen and watch here:
http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2007/09/24/1/a-conversation-with-mahmoud-ahmadinejad

Links

New York Times: U.S. Focus on Ahmadinejad Puzzles Iranians
CNN: Brzezinski: U.S. in danger of 'stampeding' to war with Iran
Canadian Press: Ahmadinejad denies Iran plans to attack Israel or anybody else
AFP: Iranian activists oppose military attack on Iran -- dissident
The Economist: Same time next year?

When Ahmadinegad Kisses His Teacher

Today is the twelfth day of Ordibehesht, second month of spring, in Iranian calendar. It is Teacher’s day in Iran[1] and there are official and non-official ceremonies to commemorate this day. It also is the day that Iranians students buy their teachers some presents, with flowers to be the most common one. So you can rest assured that florists are having a great business day in Iran.

Culturally and traditionally a mentor or a teacher, in Farsi called: “O’staad”, is considered the most vital character in a person’s life and Iran’s literature is rich with stories about teachers conveying the respect and the gratitude that are due to them. Iranian government employs the largest number of teachers in Iran with a small portion of them working in private schools. Teachers’ compensation in Iran is ranked among the lowest in country and there have been union demands for increase in pay and benefits[2].

President Ahmadinegad has managed to make headlines on this day as well. He embraced Najmeh Qolipour his old first grade teacher and kissed her hand. Ironically embracing a woman, who is not a relative, in public is against some readings of Islamic codes advocated by ultra-radicals. So it seems this time the fire is coming from the far right side of politics in Iran. However there is no doubt that Iranian public consider kissing a teacher's hand a very noble gesture.

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[1] It also is the anniversary of Morteza Motahari assassination, who was a leading ideologist of revolution and philosopher in pre-revolution era. The day is named Teacher’s Day in his memory. There is another version to it as well.
[2] I will write more about this later.

[3] The photo is from roozna: http://www.roozna.com/Negaresh_site/FullStory/?Id=36166

Seriously You are Free to Go

President Ahmadinejad met with some of the sailors after his news conference, shook their hands and told them that they are free to go. It is said that they would fly out of Tehran tomorrow morning.

Iran President to Free the British Sailors

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/04/iran.sailors/index.html
In his first news conference of Iranian New Year and after spring holidays, President Ahmadinejad announced that British Sailors are free to go. He said that Iranian government has come to this decision considering the approaching occasions; Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, Passover and Easter. He told correspondents that Iranian government offers this decision to the people of Great Britain as an Easter present.

Rough Translation from ISNA and IRNA news agencies reports.