IRAN CHARGES US GOVERNMENT OF SELF-PROPAGANDA AT EXPENSE OF EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

DEUTSCHEPRESSE via bloomber no url | 12/31/3

[NativeNewYorker]

Teheran (dpa) - Iran's state television Wednesday accused the U.S. administration of using the earthquake in southeast Iran and humanitarian assistance by U.S. individuals for self-propaganda.

The state-run television further quoted President Mohammad Khatami as saying that Iran had never had any differences with the American nation and vice-versa - but with the government in Washington.

The arrival of U.S. relief teams in the Kerman airport and warm greetings between U.S. and Iranian teams - even between military personnel - had led to wide-spread speculation that this would encourage political improvement.

Referring to remarks by Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday over the possibility for renewed dialogue with Iran, Khatami had said politicising the issue of relief aids would be too far-fetched.

``The American politicians talk a lot of irrelevant stuff, and even if they get relevant once, then it will never be put into practice,'' said Khatami on the Iranian TV, putting the traditional verbal animosity back on the agenda again.

Khatami had offered thanks for the extensive U.S. humanitarian assistance and relief aid, which on Wednesday included five pallets of medical supplies, but clearly distinguished it from fundamental problems with the U.S. administration.

While Iran has considered the U.S. as the ``Great Satan'' in recent years, Washington has included Iran in its ``axis of evil'' owing to alleged involvement in terrorism and production of atomic weapons.

[Arpege92]

I have a strong suspicion that Khatami is not speaking for all Iranians!

[eskimo]

It doesn't mean you have to always agree with the government, but if you think there is a better form of government somewhere else, then you've got to be kidding!

I see. If you really don't believe something is what you say it is you can always pretend it is better than anything else so you don't have to do anything about it.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Their rags are tied too tight.

Those rags might slip down around their necks and then they're all mine!

[KantianBurke]

Will probably get flamed for this but the sicko Mullahs have a bit of a point. Our country said it would provide aid irrespective of conditions or the fact that we do not have relations i.e. no strings attached. For Powell and others to claim that there's a shift as a result, is somewhat underhanded. Free aid is free aid. If you want to make a deal for aid do so (not that such a plan is a bright idea - see Clintigula's job with North Korea) but don't claim otherwise and then act as if that wasn't the case.

[pgkdan]

I don't have a problem with the Iranian people, just their mad mullahs

I have a problem with the Iranian people...at least those over 40. It wasn't a bunch of mullahs that attacked our embassy and held our people hostage. It was the Iranian people, represented by the 10's of thousands who marched outside our embassy gates demanding the deaths of our hostages...day in and day out. I couldn't care less what happens to Iran. They deserve whatever comes their way.

[nicmarlo]

Well, we knew this would be coming....I'm surprised it took the Iranian officials this long....too bad the good people of Iran can't get rid of the zealot religious leaders and political hypocrites.

[KantianBurke]

Side note: Anyone know what branch of the services the man in the middle is/was? Looks like a uniform..

[HEY4QDEMS]

[HarleyD]

This is the same stuff Iraq said before we came in. While there is still work in Iraq I think the majority are happy with the US presence. But if we think we'll ever please these people you only have to look at Kuwait (and their lack of support for us in this war) for that answer.

[Spok]

Old proverb says "feed a dog and you'll get gratitude; feed a snake and you'll get bitten".

But seriously, our goal should be to help the needy and not a showing of pretended gratitude from the Mullah's. Should we be surprised that Christian America cares more about innocent Iranian casualties than their own government? Let them politicize it.

[76834]

Cool:
We tried to help and they act like this.
Just remember, and the next time something bad like this happens tell them to go to hell....

[T.Smith]

USMC - He's a Marine.

[Bernard Marx]

So when is khatami going to try and blame the disaster on Bush?

He'll leave that job to the NYT, the LAT, Newspeak, Time, Bill Moyers, Aaron Brown etc. The buzz is already out there that somehow, through selfishness and callous indifference, America (and Bush) are to blame. I guess we've designated our earthquake building codes "Top Secret."

[DCPatriot]

How much did Iran send California when it suffered that terrible quake about ten years ago? < /sarcasm >

[Howlin]

The arrival of U.S. relief teams in the Kerman airport and warm greetings between U.S. and Iranian teams - even between military personnel - had led to wide-spread speculation that this would encourage political improvement.

Translation: "Uh-oh. Our people may finally find out we've been lying to them."

[eskimo]

Translation: "Uh-oh. Our people may finally find out we've been lying to them."

I doubt that will happen. Hell, people in this country haven't worked up enough guts to accept the obvious.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"I say we leave them to their own devises...."

But what about their own legacies,
what about their own bequests?

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Our government is, [in theory], of the people, for the people, by the people."

[6323cd]

Thanks for posting that; way too many people have forgotten.

Islamic Judge Ayatollah Sheikh Sadegh Khalkhali (in robes) joins Iranian soldiers and revolutionary guards at the site of the aborted U. S. mission to rescue 53 hostages in Tehran, near this tiny oasis in central Iran. Khalkhali denounced the U. S. for leading American youth to futile death.