As explained in a separate document (Towards a Generic Global Issue Statement: evoking an instructive pattern of unquestionable responses, 2009), this is the source text for an experiment in deriving a generic template for the articulation of controversial issues.
The text which follows is the statement by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran on the occasion of the UN Durban Review Conference on Racism and Racial Discrimination (Geneva, 21 April 2009). Terms in the contents of that statement, as detailed in the separate explanation, have been colour coded according to the system below. The statement below is therefore the original with the terms, controversial or otherwise, colour coded.
In the subsequent phase of the experiment, those colour coded terms have been replaced by generic terms -- identified as the headers below. A separate "generic" version of this document presents the statement with those generic terms only. Potentially, in an interactive mode, this would then allow users to select preferred terms -- notably for problematic issues other than racism. The document could then be "refreshed" with the terms selected by the user. This phase has not yet been activated -- although the colour coded version below indicates how it might appear for one such set of choices.
Any reservations regarding this methodology are provided in the separate explanation. This includes comments on the source document for this experiment, namely the statement by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran.
| Colour coding of references
in statement text (below) |
Indicative options (menus) |
| Transcendental appeal framework (and exemplars) | 1 |
| Values reference with goals justifying any remedial action taken | 2 |
| Conference reference title of event focusing on the problematic issue | 3 |
| Problematic issue it is desirable to eliminate in light of values | 4 |
| Problematic constituency viewed as primarily sustaining the problematic issue | 5 |
| Complicit forces in sustaining the problematic issue | 6 |
| Problematic actions associated with sustaining problematic issue | 7 |
| Pretext reference as rationale for sustaining problematic actions | 8 |
| Exemplary victims of problematic issue and associated actions | 9 |
| Problematic consequences of sustaining problematic actions | ? |
| ? |
This web page can currently be refreshed in one of two versions (with the methodological explanation in a separate document):
To review this page as indicated, select either Version 1 or Version 2. Or check range of menu options
| Statement by H. E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Source: Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations |
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Let us take a look at the UN Security Council which is one of the
legacies of the World War One and World War Two. What was the logic
behind their granting themselves the Veto rights? How can such a
logic comply with humanitarian or spiritual values? Could it be
in (con)formity with the recognized principles
of justice, equality before law, love and human dignity, or rather with discrimination,
injustice, violation of human rights or humiliation of the majority
of nations? That Council is the highest decision-making world body
for safeguarding the international peace and security. How can we
expect the realization of justice and peace when discrimination is legalized and the origin of law is dominated by coercion
and force rather than by justice and the right? [orchestrated walkout by offended parties] What are the root causes of U.S.
attacks against Iraq or invasion of Afghanistan? Was the motive behind the invasion of Iraq anything
other than the arrogance of the then U.S. administration and mounting
pressure on the part of the owner of wealth and power to expand
their sphere of influence seeking the interests of giant arms-manufacturing
companies, effacing a noble culture with thousands of years of historical
background, eliminating a potential and practical threats of Muslim
countries against the usurper Zionist regime,
or to control and plunder energy resources of the Iraqi people?
Why indeed almost a million people were killed and injured and a
few more millions were displaced and became homeless? Who are responsible for the current global economic crises? Where did the crises start from? From Africa? Or was that first from the United States, then spreading to Europe and to their allies? For a long time:
Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen, Racism is rooted
in lack of knowledge concerning the truth of human existence
as the selected creature of God. It is also the product of his
deviation from the true path of human life and the obligation
of mankind in the world of creation. Failing to consciously
worship God, not being able to think about the philosophy of
life, or the path to perfection that are the main ingredients
of divine and humanitarian values have restricted the horizon
of human outlook, making transient and limited interests a yardstick
for his actions. This is why the cells of devil's power took
shape and expanded its realm of power by depriving others from
enjoying equitable and just opportunities. The result has been
the making of an unbridled racism that
is posing the most serious threat against the international peace. Today [the] human community is facing a kind of racism which
has tarnished the image of humanity in the beginning of the third
millennium. The world Zionism personifies racism that
falsely resorts to religion and abuse[s] religious sentiments
to hide their hatred and ugly faces. However it is of great importance
to bring into focus the political goals of some of the world powers
and those who control huge economic interests and wealth in the
world. They mobilize all their resources including their economic
and political influence and world media to render support to the Zionist regime and
maliciously endeavor to diminish the indignity and disgrace of
this regime. This is not simply a question of ignorance and one
can not conquer these ugly phenomena through cultural campaign.
Efforts must be made to put an end to the abuse by Zionists and
their supporters of political and international means and in respect
of the will and aspirations of nations, governments must be encouraged
and supported in their fights aimed at eradicating this barbaric racism and
to move towards reforming the current international mechanisms. The world is going through fundamental changes. Power relations have become so weak and fragile. The sound of cracks in the pillars of world oppression can now be heard. Major political and economic structures are at the brink of collapse. Political and security crises are on the rise. The worsening crisis in the world economy for which there can be seen no bright prospect amply demonstrate the rising tide of far-reaching global changes. I have repeatedly emphasized the need to change the wrong direction through which the world is being managed today. I have also warned of the dire consequences of any delay in this crucial responsibility. Now, in this august and valuable event, I would like to announce here to all leaders and thinkers, present in this conference who are devoted to the cause of peace, freedom, progress, and human well-being that the inequitable and unjust management of the world is now at the end of the road. This deadlock was inevitable since the logic of this imposed management was oppressive. The logic of collective management of world affairs is based on noble aspirations which centers on human beings and the supremacy of the Almighty God. Therefore it defies any policy or plan which goes against the interests of nations. Victory of the right over the wrong and establishment of a just world system have been promised by God and His messengers and it has been a shared goal of human being[s] from different societies and generations in the course of history. Realization of such a future depends on the knowledge of the creation and is the belief in the hearts of all the faithful. The making of a global society is in fact the accomplishment
of a noble goal heralding the establishment of a common global
system that will be run with the participation of all nations
of the world in all major and basic decision-makings and the definite
route to this sublime goal. Scientific and technical capacities
as well as communication technologies has created a common and
widespread understanding of the world society and has provided
the necessary ground for a common system. Now it is incumbent
upon all intellectuals, thinkers and policy makers in the world
to carry out their historical responsibility with firm belief
to this definite route.
To move in [the] direction of justice and human dignity is like
the natural rapid flow in [the] current of a river. Lest we forget
the essence of love and affection. The promised bright future
of the human being [is] a great asset that may serve our purpose
in keeping us together to build a new world full of love,
fraternity and blessing. A world void of poverty and hatred meriting the
increasing blessings of God Almighty and the righteous managing
of the perfect human being. Let us all join hands in amity in
playing our share in the fulfillment of such [a] decent new world. |
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