Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 12:00 AM

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print      Share Share

Iranian president blasts U.S. in first United Nations speech

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used his first speech before the United Nations to blast the U.S. and urged the body to prevent members...

UNITED NATIONS — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used his first speech before the United Nations to blast the U.S. and urged the body to prevent members from taking "pre-emptive" action, even as France echoed a U.S. threat to Iran over its nuclear development.

Ahmadinejad labeled the doctrine of pre-emption — the Bush-administration policy that calls for striking an adversary before it gains the capability to launch its own attack — as a "blatant contradiction to the very foundations of the United Nations and the letter and spirit of its charter."

Soon after Ahmadinejad got up to speak, two U.S. diplomats left the General Assembly hall, leaving two U.S. note-takers behind. The U.S. Mission denied any symbolism in the decision.

Tensions between the two foes have escalated over Iran's pursuit of a nuclear program that the Bush administration maintains is designed to manufacture weapons.

Bush discussed the Iranian nuclear issue with Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday and with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Russian President Vladimir Putin today.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin threatened Iran yesterday with referral to the U.N. Security Council if it fails to suspend the nuclear program.

Outside the U.N., hundreds of people protested Ahmadinejad's visit. Some carried posters that described him as "Terrorist Hostage Taker Ahmadinejad." Compiled from Reuters, Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print      Share Share

More Nation & World

UPDATE - 10:01 AM
Rebels tighten hold on Libya oil port

UPDATE - 09:29 AM
Reality leads US to temper its tough talk on Libya

UPDATE - 09:38 AM
2 Ark. injection wells may be closed amid quakes

Armed guards save Dutch couple from Somali pirates

Navy to release lewd video investigation findings

More Nation & World headlines...

advertising


Get home delivery today!

Video

Advertising

AP Video

Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 

Most viewed imagesMore

Advertising