UANI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20th, 2009
Contact: Joe Kildea; press@unitedagainstnucleariran.com
Phone: (212) 554-3296
UANI Condemns Pres. Ahmadinejad's Inflammatory Rhetoric At The Durban Review Conference

"United Against Nuclear Iran would like to join others in condemning Iranian President Ahmadinejad's inflammatory rhetoric at the U.N.'s Durban Review Conference. Through Tehran's support of terror and human rights violations, Iran is one of the most repressive, cruel, and dangerous regimes in the world. A nuclear armed Iran would be even more threatening to the Middle East, America and our allies."  - Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, President, United Against Nuclear Iran

Delegates Walk Out During Pres. Ahmadinejad's Speech

European Union delegates walked out of a major United Nations anti-racism conference on Monday... The meeting which had already been boycotted by several Western countries such as the United States and Australia, as well as Israel, was plunged into further controversy as Ahmadinejad took to the stage. (AFP, "Iran President Triggers EU Walkout," April 20, 2009)

The walkout was a repeat of the last such conference against racism held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001 when US and Israeli delegates stormed off over comments by delegates equating racism and Zionism.

Iran Recently Convicted An American Journalist

An American journalist jailed in Iran has been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison, her lawyer said Saturday, dashing any hopes for her quick release. The verdict was the first time Iran has found an American journalist guilty of spying, and it was unclear how the conviction would affect recent overtures by the Obama administration for better relations and engagement with Washington's longtime adversary. Roxana Saberi, a 31-year-old dual American-Iranian citizen, was arrested in late January and initially accused of working without press credentials. But earlier this month, an Iranian judge leveled a far more serious allegation, charging her with spying for the United States. (AP, "Lawyer: Iran Convicts US Journalist Of Spying," April 18, 2009)

Opposition To The US Is A "Major Pillar" of Iran's "Radical Populist Ideology"

Opposition to the U.S. and Israel remain a major pillar of the Islamic Republic's radical populist ideology. "Death to America" is a ubiquitous rallying cry, and opponents of the system are often tarnished by accusations of being American or Israeli dupes. (LA Times, "Iran’s Khamenei says Obama Overture not Enough," March 22, 2009).

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