Debate: Ahmadinejad vs. Moussavi - Part 2/9 (Translated)

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Part two  of nine - pre-election debate between Ahmadinejad and Moussavi  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RRirY-VMqw

(Continued from 1/9) … in the first days of the current government coming to office, Mr. Hashemi left a message for one of the monarchs of the gulf nations, saying: “don’t you worry, in 6 months this government will be out of the office.” And then later certain people went there and spoke and the issue was more or less resolved. The meaning of these words however shows the expanse of the designs against this government; even though this office has brought many honors upon Iranians in both national and international scene. But this is due to the people. Today people are jovial. Their potentials are blooming. In many areas, science, technology, politics, especially international politics, today Iranian nation is loved, is one of them most beloved nations of the world. But none of these issues are taken into account and some of the most outrageous and outlandish lies and accusations have been made in the last four years especially in the recent three months.

I do however like Mr. Moussavi and have always had much respect for him but I cannot justify the events of the last three months. Dear Mr. Moussavi, in order to understand that there are problems in the country, that there is a problem with addiction (for example) in the country, we don’t need to bring an actor into a bus to demonstrate that! You have taken a few trips and you have realized that there are problems in the country. Are these problems a result of the past four years? So what about the last 24 years? You mean to say, a field of flowers has been handed to me by your friends and your allies and I have turned it into a desolate land? And nothing positive has taken place? Now it has become clear that NGOs have problems? That there is unemployment? You have only travelled to four cities, to four provinces. I have travelled all of Iran.  If I have to talk about all the issues that our people face, all the time of this debate will be used and still it won’t be enough. And now? Now you have noticed?! In the past we didn’t have unemployment? Addiction? Economical issues? Agricultural issues? Manufacturing problems? They all have surfaced in OUR term?

I wish you would offer a plan. (The host warns of the end of time – A: one more sentence and I am done). I have joked that I am glad I am also a candidate otherwise what would these three other dear candidate have to tell the people? And I also have to say this that in this race, there is no competition between four candidates. This is a battle of three versus one.  Even the debate from last night was not a true debate. It was all about opposition against one person. (Another warning from the host) I believe this is against logic. And we have to work fairly and logically.

Host: thank you and Mr. Moussavi please go ahead.

MM. In the name of god, I thank the dear viewers of this program. There were many good issues raised which I would like to address in a systematic manner. First of all, I had wished Mr. Ahmadinejad to be successful in his efforts so I didn’t have to enter the race.  If I had believed that he has been triumphant I would have rather stay in my current post and not have entered politics again. I will point out a few issues and will get on to the main topics at hand.

Mr. Hashemi and Mr. Khatami, each are accomplished individuals and need to have a debate of their own with Dr. Ahmadinejad so they can speak for themselves and answer the questions. I personally have some issues with the current government, and a particular danger that has compelled me to enter the arena which I will speak of in more details. I will not enter into a debate about the times that Mr. Hashemi and Mr. Khatami held office. However, some of the periods that he is referring to correspond to when I myself held office and when Imam Khomeini was alive and I will address those issues if necessary.

I have always loved Iran and I think that this affection is a part of each Iranian. I don’t believe there are Iranians who do not take pride in being an Iranian and are not worried about the future of the country. Each of us likes to see Iran honored and proud. We have always liked to see Iran as the primary powerhouse of the region.  In all areas, scientific, economical to have dignity, to be considered a role model for the entire world to see. We had a revolution precisely for the same reason. We revolted so Iran will be a grand nation, an Islamic nation that is taken seriously, so it may be able to broadcast its ideology to the world.

But, in dealing with internal issues and the way we need to go about putting Iran back in its rightful place in the world stage there are two ways we need to approach this.  There are two ways to manage this. One is the management of the adventurous kind based on lack of order, demonstrating heroic antics, false slogans and pretenses, day dreaming and superstitions, deceptions and charades, self governing and rule breaking, lack of insight as well as extremism. I will frame my debate within the structure of these issues.

Another approach to government is to be reserved, to approach issues with logic and knowledge, with realism and lack of superstitions, transparency and honesty, respect for law and relying on common sense, visionary ideals and thoughts, and fairness and moderation. I believe if we are to have a powerful Iran, the second approach is the better way.

Contrary to what Mr. Ahmadinajad has said, I have a platform based on three major issues. I will use this debate to not only explain this program but also talk about my own ideas and also the main reason why I have chosen to enter the presidency race at this time. The truth of the matter is that I felt the future of our country is in danger with the current government. And since the debate started on international issues, I will directly address that matter and then I will speak about internal matters, economical, cultural and social issues.

One of the problems we have; and I will speak case by case so people can relate directly to what I will say, I will not speak in general terms, I will site specifics. One of our problems is lack of correspondence with promises; slogans that do not corroborate with actual actions. Many of these slogans and promises are just that, I feel they are false hopes and myth making about the future of the world and nothing more.  Slogans such as “the whole world is falling apart” or that “we are the ruler of the world” and so on. There is zero action to back these claims. I will give an example, four, five examples.

One, release of the English marines. These marines came into our territorial waters; they were arrested by the border guards who did the right thing and whom should have been praised for their actions. Then, immediately based on the framework of the current government (the first pattern that I already outlined) we first said, they should be executed, how dare they came into our country?! We caused a major international calamity. Then we decided to give them  suites to wear and our president (Ahmadinejad), who does not represent just himself but the people of Iran, sent them off on their merry way with such pompous procession that we do not even offer the leaders of other countries. And this is a great contention with the government of England. And do you think the way this matter was handled brought any dignity to the people of Iran? I think not. These kinds of actions not only mar our people’s mental security but also dishonor them on international level. These kinds of damages bring so much upheaval to our image that it is very difficult to recover from and solve our problems.

Then our leader (Ahmadinejad) took a trip to Iraq. Out of nowhere he claimed that Americans had plotted to kidnap him … (Contin. In 3/9)