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Ahmadinejad Speaks at Columbia Amid Protests, Univ. President Excoriates Iran Leader from Podium

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

www.democracynow.org/

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University on Monday, ahead of his address before the United Nations. Hundreds gathered to protest for and against the visit. Meanwhile, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger excoriated Ahmadinejad in his introductory remarks.

World leaders are gathering in New York this week for the annual opening session of the UN General Assembly. With the ongoing speculation of a possible U.S. military strike on Iran, no guests are attracting as much attention as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad opened his visit with a public forum at Columbia University. A mixed crowd of protesters turned out to greet him. One sign read: "We refuse to choose between Bush and Ahmadinejad."

Democracy Now! spoke to some of the hundreds gathered outside the lecture hall -- both those protesting Ahmadinejad's visit and those curious to hear him for themselves.

  • Demonstrators gathered outside Columbia University speak to Democracy Now!
Some of the voices from outside the lecture of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia University. He was invited to speak as part of Columbia's World Leaders series. Before Ahmadinejad took the podium, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger used his introductory remarks to make clear the Iranian President was not a welcome guest.
  • Lee Bollinger, Columbia University president.
Bollinger went on to challenge Ahmadinejad on his alleged support for Iraqi insurgents targeting U.S. troops, his government's nuclear ambitions and his inflammatory statements on Israel. Bollinger also chided Ahmadinejad for his comments questioning whether the Nazi Holocaust occurred.
  • Lee Bollinger, Columbia University president.
After Bollinger spoke, it was Ahmadinejad's turn. He began by accusing Bollinger of insulting him and the audience. Later, he partly addressed some of Bollinger's questions.
  • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President.
Ahmadinejad went on to defend his government on human rights, nuclear activities and alleged involvement in backing Iraqi insurgents. He also appeared to question whether al-Qaeda was in fact responsible for the 9/11 attacks and suggested a hidden motive. And in a statement that drew wide ridicule, Ahmadinejad replied to a question on suppression of homosexuals by claiming that there are no homosexuals in Iran.

Further reading: www.counterpunch.org/ahmadinejad09-21-2006


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