Mind-boggling hypocrisy from the president of Iran

[Donald Ian Rankin]

David Cameron, prime minister of the UK:

(Full speech at https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-at-the-un-general-assembly-2014)

"Third, we must be inclusive, engaging the widest possible coalition of countries in this international effort. ISIL is a threat to us all. But the greatest threat is to the region. It is very welcome that a number of Arab countries have already taken part in the action to degrade ISIL. They have shown courage and leadership.

Iran should also be given the chance to show it can be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Earlier today I met with President Rouhani. We have severe disagreements. Iran’s support for terrorist organisations, its nuclear programme, its treatment of its people. All these need to change.

But Iran’s leaders could help in defeating the threat from ISIL. They could help secure a more stable, inclusive Iraq; and a more stable and inclusive Syria. And if they are prepared to do this, then we should welcome their engagement."

Hassan Rouhani, president of Iran, according to the Guardian:

(Article at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/30/iranian-president-cameron-week-historic-meeting )

Rouhani, who was speaking to reporters after arriving in Tehran from a conference in the Russian city of Astrakhan, said the request for the meeting was made by the British prime minister. “He had asked for a meeting and we had agreed and that was how we met,” he said late on Monday.

“He made comments later at his [UN] speech which were wrong and unacceptable,” Rouhani told Iranian reporters, according to Iran’s state television. Rouhani said having different opinions over political issues was normal.

He added: “We live in the 21st century. If someone wants to go back and think in the ways of the 19th century, that’s their own loss.”

I am far from a fan of Cameron, but on this specific occasion I think he's pretty much spot on. And the hypocrisy of the president of Iran speaking up in favour of tolerating different opinions, or accusing someone else of trying to go back to the ways of a previous century, is nauseating and breathtaking.

[MADem]

1. The "President" of Iran is simply the mouthpiece of the Guardian Council and, most particularly, the

Supreme Leader.

Why people ascribe any autonomy to the more jovial Rouhani, or the hardliner/shitbird former Prez, Ahmadi Nejad, is beyond me.

The President is told to jump, and the only question he (and it is always a "he," by LAW) might ask is "How high?"

The Supreme and his backup singers seem to think this tactic will play well with the audience they want to reach.