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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Arrives In NYC Today
By
Jen Chung
Published May 2, 2010
Modified May 2, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 2, 2010
Modified May 2, 2010
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Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in town to address the United Nations' Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference tomorrow. Ahmadinejad said before departing Iran that the NPD had failed, "The biggest threat to the world today is the production and stockpiling of nuclear weapons... Unfortunately the [International Atomic Energy Agency] in the past 40 years has not been successful in its mission. We have no disarmament or nonproliferation and some countries have even procured the nuclear bomb during this period."
The U.S. wants more sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, said:
"New Yorkers are proud to be home to the United Nations, which entails the unpleasant task of hosting some of the world’s most loathsome dictators. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s denial of the Holocaust, commitment to the destruction of Israel, and reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons make him unwanted and unwelcome in New York, but we will live up to our responsibilities as UN host.
"In 2007, President Ahmadinejad used his visit to pull offensive PR stunts like attempting to visit the World Trade Center and spouting off inflammatory remarks and conspiracy theories at Columbia University. He should use this trip to join the community of nations by answering long-overdue questions about Iran’s nuclear program, coming into compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), and ceasing his pursuit of nuclear weapons."
Ahmadinejad was here last fall for the UN General Assembly; the U.S., Canada, French, British and other delegations walked out during his speech and there were protests outside. But there is one group who is excited about Mahmoud: Comedians! One told the Daily News, "Ahmadinejad is like the George Bush of Iran. It was good for the world when he left, but bad for comedy. Ahmadinejad isn't good for the world right now, but he's great for comedy."
Tagged
iran
mahmoud ahmadinejad
nita lowey
nuclear program
nuclear proliferation
us
united nations
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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