In U.S., Ahmadinejad bid to win hearts and minds

September 22, 2012 11:47 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 11:09 pm IST - DUBAI:

FILE - In this  June 20, 2010 file photo, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks in the International Conference of Islamic World Publishers, in Tehran, Iran. Ahmadinejad says Tehran will not hold talks with the West over its disputed nuclear program until late August to "punish" world powers for imposing tougher economic sanctions. The U.N. Security Council approved new sanctions against Iran earlier this month over Tehran's refusal to halt uranium enrichment. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

FILE - In this June 20, 2010 file photo, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks in the International Conference of Islamic World Publishers, in Tehran, Iran. Ahmadinejad says Tehran will not hold talks with the West over its disputed nuclear program until late August to "punish" world powers for imposing tougher economic sanctions. The U.N. Security Council approved new sanctions against Iran earlier this month over Tehran's refusal to halt uranium enrichment. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has left for the U.S. to pursue a crowded agenda that focuses on connecting with mainstream Americans including those who are part of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

For a seventh successive year, the Iranian President will address the General Assembly session, which commences on September 25. Mr. Ahmadinejad will also represent the 120-nation Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as its rotating President.

But apart from rubbing shoulders with world leaders, Mr. Ahmadinejad has public diplomacy prominently in his sights. Not only would he meet activists of the Occupy Wall Street movement, he will also engage with American university students, artists and intellectuals. Mr. Ahmadinejad also plans to reach out to the public through interviews with CBS and CNN television networks as well with the Russia Today satellite channel.

The visit began with the customary friction with U.S. authorities. Two Ministers, Esfandiar Rahim Mashayee, President’s chief of staff, and 17 others were denied visa, Iranian media reported. The delegation, guarded by 150 security personnel, will stay in Manhattan’s Warwick hotel, Fars News Agency is reporting.

The timing of the visit to New York is somewhat ironic. The President is trying to win the hearts-and-minds of Americans, at a time when Washington is leading a massive naval drill, as part of a 30-nation alliance not far from the Iranian shores. Apart from the show of veiled confrontation, the Americans have led the drive for the imposition of stringent economic sanctions against Tehran, supposedly to curb its nuclear programme.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.