Imam Khamenei: US Ought to Act Instead of Talk

 
Source: almanar.com.lb, 4-6-2009

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei lashed out at the United States on Thursday, saying it is deeply hated in the Middle East.

"The nations in the region hate the United States from the bottom of their hearts because they have seen violence, military intervention and discrimination," Imam Khamenei said. "The new US government seeks to transform this image. I say firmly, that this will not be achieved by words, speeches and slogans," he said on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the death of the Islamic republic's revolutionary founder Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhollah Khomeini.

"They have done things that have deeply hurt the nations in the region... things are not going to be changed by speeches. He (Obama) has to do it in practice. Even if he delivers hundreds of speeches and talks very sweetly, there will not be a change in how the Islamic countries perceive the United States."

Imam Khamenei also accused the United States of "lying" about Tehran's nuclear program. "They lied about our intention; they concealed the truth about it. They stood against the legitimate rights of our nation," his eminence said.

"We have said several times that we want the nuclear energy for industrial and peaceful purposes. But they continuously say that Iran is seeking nuclear bombs. By doing this, they are hated by our nation.

"For many years, our nation and its officials have repeatedly said that we do not want nuclear weapon, it is haram (forbidden) in Islam. Even if they pay us to have it, we do not want it," the Imam said.

"But in order to justify their allegations they continue accusing us," he said as the crowd chanted "Nuclear energy is our undeniable right!"

Imam Khamenei also accused the US military of "bombing innocent civilians in Afghanistan. What is the difference between this killing and killing by terrorists?"

He said in Iraq, the United States was "supporting the Baathist elements", in reference to members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party, many of whom are returning to government jobs in the new regime of Iraq.
"He (Obama) has to change these things," said his eminence.

His speech to tens of thousands of Iranians and several foreigners at the Khomeini mausoleum on the southern outskirts of Tehran, came just over a week before Iran goes to the polls on June 12 to choose a new president.
It also comes a few hours before Obama makes his speech in Cairo to address the Muslim world.