Iran's Ahmadinejad takes office scorning "scowls" of enemies

|
Raheb Homavandi/Reuters
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to members of parliament during his swearing-in ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday.

Taking an assertive and nearly aggressive stance with his critics at home and perceived enemies abroad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was inaugurated as Iran's president as 1,000 riot police ringed the hall where he took his oath and used tear gas to keep protesters at bay.

The former engineer, whose election victory has been disputed by the country's reformist opposition, kept up the theme he has maintained in Iran's weeks of turmoil: that it is hostile foreign powers and not Iranian citizens unhappy with the direction the country has taken that have opposed him. He also appeared miffed that he hadn't received congratulations from President Barack Obama or other Western powers.

"This means they only want democracy which serves their interests and they don't respect people's votes and rights," AFP quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. "You should know that nobody in Iran is awaiting your congratulations. Iranians will neither value your scowling and bullying nor your smiles and greetings."

AFP also quoted him as stating that "we will resist oppressors and try to correct the global discriminatory mechanisms in order to benefit all the nations of the world.''

There was some oppression going on in the streets of Tehran as Ahmadinejad took his oath, the Associated Press reports.

Britain's Daily Telegraph said that while Ahmadinejad was showing "disdain" for his political opponents, the Supreme Leader, the most powerful man in the country, offered at least one sign of possible moderation and accommodation.

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Iran's Ahmadinejad takes office scorning
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2009/0805/irans-ahmadinejad-takes-office-scorning-scowls-of-enemies
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us