The 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly convened this week in New York City.
Libyaâ??s ousted Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution Muammar Gaddafi dare not show his face due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant upon his head for crimes against humanity. Venezuelaâ??s President Hugo Chavez cannot attend either because of ongoing chemotherapy. But Iranâ??s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad intends to be there.
We will no longer be entertained and infuriated by scenes of Chavez sarcastically speaking about satanic sulfur in 2006 or Gaddafi disdainfully chucking the UN charter over his shoulder in 2009. Nonetheless, Ahmadinejad plans on yanking the Westâ??s chain yet again. He will distribute a book on alleged atrocities committed against Iran and Iranians by American, British and Soviet forces during World War II, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reports:
'Ahmadinejad will go to New York late this week, taking 1000 English copies of Documents on the Occupation of Iran during World War II. Iranâ??s occupation by the Allies during World War II is an international issue. This book contains many documents referring to the abuses inflicted by the Allies against the Iranian people.'
The five-volume work is to be presented as evidence at the UN General Assembly, a parallel story in the Tehran Times notes:
'to demand compensation from the Allies for violation of Iranâ??s neutrality during that world conflict.'
So even though his comrades from the Mad Hatterâ??s Tea Party cannot be there, Iranâ??s chief executive will do his best to incite American, British and Russian emotions â?? and he is well accomplished at provoking negative responses. But unlike Alice, officials in Washington, London and Moscow should not respond in anger. Paying no attention to his theatrics will deny Iranâ??s president the pleasure he seeks.
Letâ??s not give Ahmadinejad a tale to spin for Chavez when he flys to Caracas after the New York visit.
(AP Photo)