Cheney vs. Ahmadinejad

Over the weekend, the U.S.-Iran confrontation was ratcheted up a few more notches. President Ahmadinejad dramatically extended his hard-line influence over Iran's nuclear program with the abrupt resignation of political rival Ali Larijani, a conservative pragmatist who headed the Supreme National Security Council and was Iran's top nuclear negotiator. Ahmadinejad last month declared his scorn for U.N. Security Council sanctions voted against Iran and announced that the nuclear issue is closed as far as Iran is concerned.

The day after Larijani's departure, Vice President Cheney delivered a tough speech that accused Iran's regime of destabilizing the Middle East and oppressing its own people. He warned that if the regime doesn't change its ways, the world is prepared to impose “serious consequences” and will prevent Iran from constructing a nuclear weapon. He didn't spell out whether the “consequences” included the possible military attack that Bush says remains an option on the table. Without explicitly calling for regime-change, Cheney concluded by saying, “America looks forward to the day when Iranians reclaim their destiny.”

Here's a “debate” between Ahmadinejad and Cheney that illustrates their contrasting views—perhaps what the exchange would look like if Bush ever takes up Ahmadinejad's challenge of a public debate. Ahmadinejad's words are from his Sept. 23 U.N. General Assembly speech; Cheney's from his Oct. 21 speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Ahmadinejad on the U.S.:

Human rights are being extensively violated by certain powers, especially by those who pretend to be their exclusive advocates. Setting up secret prisons, abducting persons, trials and secret punishments without any regard to due process, extensive tapping of telephone conversations, intercepting private mail, and frequent summons to police and security centers have become commonplace and prevalent. They prosecute scientists and historians for stating their opinions on important global issues. They use various pretexts to occupy sovereign states and cause insecurity and division, and then use the prevailing situation as an excuse to continue their occupation.

Cheney on Iran:

The government of Iran…is a growing obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Given the recent appearance by the Iranian President in New York City, no one can fail to understand the nature of the regime this man represents… Under their current rulers, the people of Iran live in a climate of fear and intimidation, with secret police, arbitrary detentions, and a hint of violence in the air… This same regime that approved of hostage taking in 1979, that attacked Saudi and Kuwaiti shipping in the 1980s, that incited suicide bombings and jihadism in the 1990s and beyond, is now the world's most active state sponsor of terror.

Ahmadinejad on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

For more than sixty years, Palestine, as compensation for the loss they incurred during the war in Europe, has been under occupation of the illegal Zionist regime. The Palestinian people have been displaced or are under heavy military pressure, economic siege or are incarcerated under abhorrent conditions. The occupiers are protected and praised, while the innocent Palestinians are subjected to political, military and propaganda onslaughts. The people of Palestine are deprived of water, electricity and medicine for the sin of asking for freedom, and the government that was freely elected by the people is targeted.

Cheney on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

… [Ahmadinejad] has called repeatedly for the destruction of Israel, has spoken of his yearning for a world without the United States… George W. Bush is the first President to call for a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. He has announced a meeting to be held in Annapolis later this year to review the progress towards building Palestinian institutions, to seek innovative ways to support further reform, to provide diplomatic support to the parties, so that we can move forward on the path to a Palestinian state. Secretary Rice just made her most recent journey to the Middle East to lay the groundwork to support movement toward the establishment of such a state.

Ahmadinejad on Iraq:

Iraq was occupied under the pretext of overthrowing a dictator and the existence of weapons of mass destruction. The Iraqi dictator who had been supported by the same occupiers was disposed of, and no weapons of mass destruction were discovered, but the occupation continues under different excuses. No day passes without people being killed, wounded or displaced, and the occupiers not only refuse to be accountable and ashamed of their adventure, but speak in a report of a new market for their armaments as the result of their military venture. They even oppose the constitution, National Assembly and the government established by the vote of the people, while they do not even have the courage to declare their defeat and exit Iraq.

Cheney on Iraq:

President Bush has made clear that America's word is good, and our nation will do its part to keep Iraq on the road of freedom, security and progress… Tyranny in Iraq was worth defeating, and democracy in Iraq is worth defending. We're going to complete the mission so that another generation of Americans doesn't have to go back and do it again. Success in Iraq will confirm our good intentions in the Middle East more than words alone ever could… Iranian government claims to be a friend that supports regional stability. In fact, it is a force for the opposite. As General Petraeus has noted, Iran's Quds Force is trying to set up a "Hezbollah-like force to serve its interests and to fight a proxy war against the Iraqi state and coalition forces in Iraq." At the same time, Iran is "responsible for providing the weapons, the training, the funding and, in some cases, the direction for operations that have indeed killed U.S. soldiers."

Ahmadinejad on Iran's nuclear program:

After three years of negotiations and attempts to build confidence, the Iranian nation came to the firm belief that the main concern of these powers is not the possible deviation of Iran's nuclear activities, but is to prevent its scientific progress under this pretext… In the last two years, abusing the Security Council, the arrogant powers have repeatedly accused Iran and even made military threats and imposed illegal sanctions against it. However, by the grace of faith in God and national unity, Iran has moved forward step by step and now our country is recognized as one with the capacity for industrial scale fuel cycle production for peaceful uses. Previously, they illegally insisted on politicizing the Iranian nation's nuclear case, but today, because of the resistance of the Iranian nation, the issue is back to the Agency, and I officially announce that in our opinion the nuclear issue of Iran is now closed and has turned into an ordinary Agency matter.

Cheney on Iran's nuclear program:

The Iranian regime's efforts to destabilize the Middle East and to gain hegemonic power is a matter of record. And now…we have the inescapable reality of Iran's nuclear program, a program they claim is strictly for energy purposes, but which they have worked hard to conceal, a program carried out in complete defiance of the international community and resolutions of the U.N. Security Council. Iran is pursuing technology that could be used to develop nuclear weapons. The world knows this. The Security Council has twice imposed sanctions on Iran and called on the regime to cease enriching uranium. Yet the regime continues to do so, and continues to practice delay and deception in an obvious attempt to buy time. Given the nature of Iran's rulers, the declarations of the Iranian President, and the trouble the regime is causing throughout the region -- including direct involvement in the killing of Americans -- our country and the entire international community cannot stand by as a terror-supporting state fulfills its most aggressive ambitions. The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences. The United States joins other nations in sending a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

Ahmadinejad on the future:

Peoples and governments are not obliged to obey the injustice of certain powers. These powers, because of the reasons already mentioned, have lost the competence to lead the world. I officially declare that the age of relations arising from the Second World War as well as materialistic thoughts based on arrogance and domination is well over now. Humanity has passed a perilous precipice and the age of monotheism, purity, affinity, respecting others, justice and true peace-loving has commenced…The era of darkness will end, prisoners will return home, the occupied lands will be freed, Palestine and Iraq will be liberated from the domination of the occupiers, and the people of America and Europe will be free of the pressures exerted by the Zionists. The tender-hearted and humanity-loving governments will replace the aggressive and domineering ones. Human dignity will be regained. The pleasing aroma of justice will permeate the world, and people will live together in a brotherly and affectionate manner… Without any doubt, the Promised One who is the ultimate Savior, together with Jesus Christ and other holy Saviors, will come. In the company of all believers, justice-seekers and benefactors, he will establish a bright future and fill the world with justice and beauty.

Cheney on the future:

…the Iranian people have every right to be free from oppression, from economic deprivation, and tyranny in their own country. The spirit of freedom is stirring in Iran. The voices of change and peaceful dissent will not be silent. We can expect to hear more from the courageous reformers, the bloggers, and the advocates of rights for women and ethnic and religious minorities, because these men and women are more loyal to their country than to the regime. Despite the regime's anti-American propaganda, the Iranian people can know that America respects them, cares about their troubles, and stands firmly on the side of liberty, human dignity and individual rights. America looks forward to the day when Iranians reclaim their destiny, the day that our two countries, as free and democratic nations, can be the closest of friends.

--By Scott MacLeod/Dubai