Letter from Iran's President Ahmadinejad to George W. Bush

The following is the text of the letter of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to American President George W. Bush.

Mr. George Bush,

President of the United States of America,

For sometime now I have been thinking about how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena – which are being constantly debated, especially in political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hopes that it might bring about an opportunity to redress them.

Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great messenger of God, feel obliged to respect human rights; present liberalism as a civilization model; announce one’s opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs; make “war and terror” his slogan; and finally, work toward the establishment of a unified international community – a community which Christ and the virtuous of the earth will one day govern, but at the same time, have countries attacked?

Can one have the lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed on the slim chance of the presence of a few criminals in a village, city or convoy for example? Is this worth setting an entire village, city or convoy ablaze?

Because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in a country [Iraq], it is occupied; about 100,000 are people killed; its water sources, agriculture and industry are destroyed; close to 180,000 foreign troops are put on the ground; the sanctity of the private homes of citizens are broken, and the country is set back perhaps 50 years. At what price?

Hundreds of billions of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women – as occupation troops – are put in harms way, taken away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with the blood of others, are subjected to such psychological pressure that everyday some commit suicide and those that return home suffer depression, become ill and grapple with all sorts of aliments; while some are killed and their bodies handed to their families.

On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy has come to engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country.

Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with.

Of course, Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to topple him or the announced goal of finding and destroying Weapons of Mass Destruction. He was toppled on the way to another goal; nevertheless the people of the region are happy that he [Saddam] is gone. I point out that throughout the many years of war that were imposed on Iran, Saddam was supported by the West.

Mr. President,

You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how these actions can be reconciled with the values outlined at the beginning of this letter and the duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the messenger of peace and forgiveness?

There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no legal representation and their families cannot see them as they are obviously kept in a strange land outside their own country. There is no international monitoring of their condition or fate. No one knows whether they are prisoners, POWs, accused or criminals.

European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in Europe, as well. I couldn’t correlate the abduction of a person, and him or her being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any judicial system. For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values outlined in the beginning of this letter, I.E. the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values.

Young people, university students, and ordinary people have many questions about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar with some of them.

Throughout history many countries have been occupied, but I think the establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times.

Students are saying that 60 years ago, such a country did not exist. They show old documents and globes and say that try as they might, they have been unable to find a country named Israel.

I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told me that during WWII, during which tens of millions of people perished, news about the war was quickly disseminated by the warring parties. Each touted their victories and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other party. After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been killed. Six million people that were surely related to at least two million families. Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically translate into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle East or support for such a state? How can this phenomenon be rationalized or explained?

Mr. President,

I am sure you know how – and at what cost – Israel was established:

– Many thousands were killed in the process.

– Millions of indigenous people were turned into refugees.

– Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns and villages were destroyed.

This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately it has been ongoing for 60 years now. A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to children, destroys houses while the occupants are still in them, announces beforehand its list and plans to assassinate Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands of Palestinians in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique – or at the very least extremely rare – in recent memory.

Another big question asked by the people is, “Why is this regime being supported?” Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH) or Moses (PBUH) or liberal values? Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands – inside and outside Palestine – whether they are Christian, Muslim or Jew, to determine their fate, runs contrary to the principles of democracy, human rights and the teachings of the prophets? If not, why is there so much opposition to a referendum?

A newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office [Hamas].

All independent (observers) have confirmed that this government represents the electorate. Unbelievably, these observers have put the elected government under pressure and have advised it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and follow the programs of the previous government.

If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such a position taken [by the West] in opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values outlined earlier? The people are also saying “why are all U.N. Security Council resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?”

Mr. President,

As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in constant touch with them – and many people from around the Middle East manage to contact me as well. They have no faith in these dubious policies either. There is evidence that the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry with such policies.

It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I need to refer to other points as well.

Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific research and development one of the basic rights of nations?

You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievement for military purposes be reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether? If such a supposition is true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc. must be opposed.

Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and that you yourself do not like to be lied to.

Mr. President,

Don’t Latin Americans have the right to ask why their elected governments are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Or, why they must constantly be threatened and live in fear?

The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented. They can play an important and valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and contribute to its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in large parts of Africa are preventing this from taking place. Don’t they have a right to ask why their enormous wealth – including minerals – is being looted, despite the fact that they need it more than anyone else?

Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ and the tenets of human rights?

The brave and faithful people of Iran also have many questions and grievances, including: the coup d’etat of 1953 and subsequent toppling of the legal government of the day, opposition to the Islamic Revolution, transformation of an Embassy into a headquarters for supporting the activities of those opposed to the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of documents corroborate this claim), support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran, the shooting down of the Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian nation, increasing threats, anger and displeasure vis-a-vis the scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their country’s progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer to in this letter.

Mr. President,

September 11 was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is deplorable and appalling in any part of the world. Our government immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators, offered its condolences to the bereaved and expressed its sympathies.

All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good standing of their citizens. Reportedly, your government employs extensive security, protection and intelligence systems – and even hunts its opponents abroad. September 11 was not a simple operation. Could it have been planned and executed without coordination with intelligence and security services – or their extensive infiltration? Of course this is just an educated guess. Why have the various aspects of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched their responsibilities? And why aren’t those responsible and the guilty parties identified and put on trial?

All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for their citizens. For some years now, the people of your country and neighbors of world trouble spots have had no peace of mind. After 9/11, instead of healing and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and American people – who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks – some Western media only intensified the climate of fear and insecurity by constantly talking about the possibility of new terrorist attacks. This kept the people in fear. Is that a service to the American people? Is it possible to calculate the damage incurred from fear and panic?

American citizens live in fear of fresh attacks that could come at any time and any place. They feel insecure on the streets, in their places of work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the media, instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace of mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity?

Some believe that this hype paved the way – and was the justification – for an attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media. In media charters, the correct dissemination of information and honest reporting of a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the disregard shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main pretext for an attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated incessantly – for the public to finally believe – and the ground prepared for an attack on Iraq.

Won’t the truth be lost in such a contrived and deceptive climate? Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be reconciled with the earlier mentioned values? Is the truth known to the Almighty lost as well?

Mr. President,

In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses of governments so that their governments in turn are able to serve them.

The question here is “what has the hundreds of billions of dollars, spent every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the citizens?”

As your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country, people are living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and unemployment is a huge problem. Of course these problems exist – to a larger or lesser extent – in other countries as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan expenses of the campaign -paid from the public treasury – be explained and be consistent with the aforementioned principles?

What has been said are some of the grievances of the people around the world, in our region and in your country, but my main contention — which I am hoping you will agree to some of – is this:

Those in power have a specific time in office and so don’t rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history and will be constantly judged in the immediate and distant futures.

The people will scrutinize our presidencies. Did we (manage) to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or insecurity and unemployment? Did we intend to establish justice or just support special interest groups; and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, did we make a few people rich and powerful – thus trading the approval of the people and the almighty with theirs? Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them? Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or did we impose wars on them, interfere illegally in their affairs, establish hellish prisons and incarcerate some of them? Did we bring the world peace and security or raise the specter of intimidation and threats? Did we tell the truth to our nations and others around the world or did present the opposite of that? Were we on the side of the people or the occupiers and oppressors? Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilled obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human dignity, or the force of guns, intimidation, insecurity, disregard for the people, the delay of progress in other nations, and the trampling of people’s rights? And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true – or not to our oaths of office – to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of the prophets.

Mr. President,

How much longer can the world tolerate this situation? Where will this trend lead the world to? How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of some rulers? How much longer will the specter of insecurity – raised from the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction – hunt the people of the world? How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be spilled on the streets, and people’s houses destroyed over their heads? Are you pleased with the current condition of the world? Do you think present policies can continue?

If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns and troop movements were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries, promotion of health, combating diseases, education and improvement of mental and physical fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation of employment opportunities and production, development projects and poverty alleviation, the establishment of peace, mediation between disputing states, and extinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other conflicts, where would the world be today? Would not your government and people be justifiably proud? Would not your administration’s political and economic standing have been stronger? And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing global hatred of the American government?

Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone.

If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (PBUH) were with us today, how would they have judged such behavior? Will we be given a role to play in the promised world, where justice will be universal and Jesus Christ (PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us?

My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of millions of Muslims and millions of people who follow the teachings of Moses (PBUH). All Divine religions share and respect one word and that is “monotheism” or belief in a single God and no other in the world.

The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all followers of Divine religions and says: (3.64) say: o followers of the book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and you, that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with him and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: bear witness that we are Muslims. (The family of Imran)

Mr. President,

According to divine verses, we have all been called upon to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine prophets. “To worship a god which is above all powers in the world and can do all he pleases.”

“The Lord which knows that which is hidden and visible, the past and the future, knows what goes on in the hearts of his servants and records their deeds.”

“The lord who is the possessor of the heavens and the earth and all the universe is his court, planning for the universe is done by his hands, and gives his servants the glad tidings of mercy and forgiveness of sins … he is the companion of the oppressed and the enemy of oppressors … he is the compassionate, the merciful … he is the recourse of the faithful and guides them toward the light from dark ness … he is witness to the actions of his servants … he calls on servants to be faithful and do good deeds, and asks them to stay on the path of righteousness and remain steadfast … calls on servants to heed his prophets and he is a witness to their deeds … a bad ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life of this world and disobey him and oppress his servants” and “a good end and eternal paradise belong to those servants who fear his majesty and do not follow their lascivious selves.”

We believe that a return to the teachings of the divine prophets is the only road to salvation. I have been told that your Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (PBUH) and believes in the Divine promise of the rule of the righteous on earth.

We also believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great prophets of the Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has been quoted in the Koran as well: (19.36) and surely Allah is my lord and your lord, therefore serve him; this is the right path. Mariam

Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all Divine messengers.

The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and give dignity to all his servants. He has given greatness to humans.

We again read in the holy book: “The Almighty god sent his prophets with miracles and clear signs to guide the people and show them Divine signs and purify them from sins and pollutions. And he sent the book and the balance so that the people display justice and avoid the rebellious.”

All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other, in the good book as well. Divine prophets have promised: The day will come when all humans will congregate before the court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are examined. The good will be directed toward (heaven) and the evildoers will meet divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day, but it will not be easy to calculate the actions of rulers, because we must be answerable to our nations and all others whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by our actions.

All prophets speak of peace and tranquility for man – based on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity.

Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the last day, we can overcome the present problems of the world – which are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and the teachings of prophets – that we can improve our performance?

Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees peace, friendship and justice?

Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are universally respected?

Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and his prophets?

Mr. President,

History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God has not entrusted the fate of men to them. The Almighty has not left the universe and humanity to their own devices. Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of governments. These tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events are determined by him.

Can one deny the signs of change in the world today? Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of ten years ago? Change comes at a furious pace.

The people of the world are unhappy with the status quo and pay little heed to the promises and comments made by a number of influential world leaders. Many people around the world feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity and war and don’t approve of or accept dubious policies.

The people are protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots and the rich and poor countries.

The people are disgusted with increasing corruption.

The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed with the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no faith in international organizations, because their rights are not advocated by these organizations.

Liberalism and Western style democracy have not helped realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of liberal democratic systems.

We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking toward a main focal point – which is Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the Prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: “Do you not want to join them?”

Mr. President,

Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating toward faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things.

Vasalam Ala Man Ataba’al Hoda

Mahmood Ahmadi-Nejad

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran