Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon led a Canadian walkout as Iran's president began speaking to the United Nations Wednesday night, a boycott that was followed by diplomats from the United States and other countries. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad then launched into a tirade against the United States, Israel, and Jews.
The government signalled earlier in the day that they planned the walkout to protest the Iranian leader's past attacks on Israel and denial of the Holocaust, as well as his regime's disregard for human rights.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday the boycott was justified by Mr. Ahmadinejad's “disgraceful, insulting declarations.”
“…There is no way I'm going to permit any official of the government of Canada to be present and give any legitimacy to remarks by a leader like that,” Mr. Harper told reporters in Oakville, Ont.
AP
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, his minister of state Peter Kent and another member of the Canadian delegation walk out of the United Nations General Assembly as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes the podium on on Sept. 23, 2009.
The United States had said its delegation wouldn't walk out, but leave only lower-level diplomats in the room. But as Mr. Ahmadinejad spoke, the U.S. diplomats left their seats to protest against what they called “hateful, offensive, and anti-Semitic rhetoric.”
Diplomats from several other countries also exited the UN's general assembly, leaving a large portion of the chamber's seats empty.
In an attack on Jews around the world in last night's speech, Mr. Ahmadinejad said “it is unacceptable that a small minority should dominate the politics, economy, and culture of vast parts of the world through a complicated network and establish a new form of slavery…”
Mr. Ahmadinejad's speech had been delayed till the evening because of Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi's lengthy, rambling tirade in the morning, but a few hours before the Iranian President took to the podium, Mr. Cannon said the walkout was necessary because of the Iranian President's disregard for human rights, his violation of UN Security Council resolutions on nuclear non-proliferation, his anti-Semitic attacks and his “erratic behaviour in terms of denying the Holocaust.”
Bravo Canada!!!!
ReplyDeletewell what can one say if you say his speech wasn't so bad except for a couple of grave mistakes you get in trouble if you say it was all bad you are a hypocrite oh well
ReplyDeletewe have freedom of speech and I am glad he is Irans problem not ours-
GO Canada; GO USA, and any others that left that tyrant standing there listening to himself speak. What an idiot.
ReplyDeleteFree speech means free listening....just because someone is talking crap doesn't mean you have to listen to it. Bravo Bravo Bravo for those who walked out. I wouldn't want to listen to some tyrannical pompous little tyrant go on and on spouting racist, anti-Semitic rants. I know there's been a big deal made about being respectful (as in Joe "you lie" Wilson) but walking out in this case is totally appropriate and has been a long standing UN tradition.
ReplyDeleteI think the U.N. just needs to be abolished. What good does it serve now? Yes - bravo to those who walked out!
ReplyDeleteTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS FOR THE WORLD IT HELPS TONS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN SO THEY DON'T STARVE TO DEATH FOR ONE-
ReplyDeleteThe Iranian government is nothing but a puppet organization for the clerics overthere who really run the show. The UN needs to show more muscle when in regards to Iran, N. Korea and areas of Africa where genocide is taking place. Ahmadeinejad is a jerk and a very bad man who stole his re-election.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the good things accomplished take the fore-front again. It just isn't what it started out to be anymore. There are other ways, perhaps... starting over might work, as would throwing out some of the 'membership'. In my opinion, it has become a farce.
ReplyDeleteit is there they just don't talk about it-good news doesn't sell sad really-
ReplyDeleteI feel that Amadeinejad is a dictator - the UN was founded on free speech and formed after the WW2 if I recall correctly but when Ama and Gaddafi's were there speaking I thought don't we just allow these ones that breach so much of what we believe in. I posted it as I found it interesting and there are so many areas I feel that we are within a reform with. But they say this is all democratic and the foundation of the UN was to give allowance with freedom of speech but I feel that Amadeeinejad and Gaddafi's certainly are a contradiction of what they say.
ReplyDeleteAs the world turns I guess...
Fran,
ReplyDeleteI must say that I do believe in what you say as there were many that did not even show up but yet it's the only arena by which we have an international open door. An we don't have to listen to it, but at the same time its the only place from which we have that international open door from which all countries are able to speak.
The United Nations I believe was founded for this very reason. Yet in these days we do have many things going on - we are not within a cold war now but we certainly are within something. Which so many wish to get out of but that is a story onto its self.
Walking out beats going to war or shouting out "you lie" to the speaker. It's effective in getting your idea across and still respects the opinions of others to babble on. Without the United Nations, nations would have no forum for blowing off steam and looking tough on American soil--which is what Gadhafi and that punk from Iran wanted to do. And if that makes them feel powerful, then its a small price to pay against what madness htey could unleash on their neighbors.
ReplyDeleteSo true there have been several thoughts with regards to the UN, but to have some communication at least allows some good things as there are merits to it. But I am not sure how much use it does serve within these times Doug. Yet if there was no United Nations what would we have to replace it...I thought I would make that mention.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm glad we have a UN. .. It saves a lot of secrecy... People don't get afraid of another country as long as they are talking to others... good, bad or indifferent... One sees reality, then you hear from the person who is running the country.. :-D, quite a difference!!! You have the opportunity to see and hear what you know or don't know... Listening to parts of what Gadhafi or Pres. A. had to say were real learning points..LOL :-D!... Walking quietly out was definitely the thing to do... respect those who choose to listen to the rantings of an old man... Or anyone who makes no sense for that matter... But at least keep the UN until we can find something that can replace it with a stronger system, and make it a real 'United' Nations... everyone should be in it, not just those we agree with... Only my own opinion :-)...
ReplyDeleteCanada is a good country.
ReplyDelete