Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses the UN

Iran’s president addressing United Nations

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is speaking at the United Nations on Tuesday, a day after he challenged a university audience to look into “who was truly involved” in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. When pressed about the harsh treatment of women, homosexuals and academics who challenge Iran’s government, Ahmadinejad painted a rosy picture, saying, “Women in Iran enjoy the highest levels of freedom,” he said.

He elicited laughter and boos from the audience at Columbia University when he said, “In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals, like in your country.”

His remarks, which lasted about an hour, made several general references to God, religion and science. He portrayed himself as an academic, misunderstood and unfairly criticized in the United States.

Ahmadinejad spoke at the invitation of Columbia’s president, Lee Bollinger, who in his introduction excoriated the leader by saying he “exhibit[s] all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator.”

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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