re: #222 charles_martel

The words of Ahmadinejad, the words of Rafsanjani, the words of the Defense Minister…

Rafsanjani is the moderate in Iran…you’re confusing him with another Ayatollah:

Following years of deterioration in foreign relations under Khomeini during the Iran-Iraq war, Rafsanjani sought to rebuild ties among Arab states,[25] as well as with countries in Central Asia, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.[26] However, relations with European countries and the United States remained poor, even though Rafsanjani has a track record of handling difficult situations and defusing crises.[27]

He condemned both the United States and Iraq during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. After the war he strove to renew close ties with the West, although he refused to lift Khomeini’s fatwa against the British author Salman Rushdie.[28]

Rafsanjani has said that Iran is ready to assist Iraq, “expecting nothing in return”. On the other hand, he has said that “peace and stability” is a function of the “evacuation of the occupiers.”[29]

Iran gave humanitarian help to the victims of the conflict. Iran sent truck loads of food and medicine to Iraq and thousands of Kuwaiti refugees were given shelters in Iran.[30]

Rafsanjani voiced support to Prince Abdullah’s peace initiative and to “everything the Palestinians agree to”. He was also clear that Iran’s international interests must take precedence over those of Iranian allies in Syria and Lebanon.[27]

Rafsanjani is a supporter of Iran’s nuclear program. In 2007 Rafsanjani reiterated that the use of weapons of mass destruction was not part of the Islamic Republic culture. Rafsanjani said: “You [US and allies] are saying that you cannot trust Iran would not use its nuclear achievements in the military industries, but we are ready to give you full assurances in this respect.”[31]

from wikipedia