"What a mockery! A public, bold sponsor of terror should never be allowed permission to visit this sacred site." Says Syndicated columnist, Terrorism expert, and Middle East analyst Micah Halpern
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, has reportedly asked for permission to visit Ground Zero during his visit to New York City (September 25-29) when he is here speak at the U.N. General Assembly (Sept. 25). This story appeared last night (22:35pm) on the Website of Haaretz, the prestigious Israeli newspaper.
But Micah Halpern, syndicated columnist, Terrorism expert, Middle East analyst, and author of the new book, Thugs: How History's Most Notorious Despots Transformed The World through Terror, Tyranny, and Mass Murder, says that Ahmadinejad must never be allowed to visit the sacred site.
"Since the Islamic revolution, Iran has sponsored more terror than any other country in the world. And here is the president of the world's biggest terrorism-sponsoring country requesting a visit to Ground Zero, the ultimate symbol of terrorism? What a mockery!"
Adds Halpern, "The PR people who advise Ahmadinejad are brilliant to come up with this idea. But a sponsor of terror - a public, bold sponsor of terror - should never be allowed permission to visit this sacred site!"
Not only does Halpern reject the visit to Ground Zero, but also Ahmadinejad's entire trip to the USA to speak at the U.N. General Assembly on September 25, with other "thug" leaders from around the world including Hugo Chavez.
"Some of the most evil world leaders alive today will be arriving in New York in the next two weeks. Why are these despots even allowed entry into the United States? By allowing these thugs to be a part of a public, international, renowned forum, we are legitimizing their actions and deeds. The USA should never have given them entry Visas"
The UN General Assembly has maintained a prominent forum for pressing issues on the international political agenda for the past six decades, bringing together world leaders for discussion and debates that greatly shape global policies. Meetings have taken place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, though as Halpern points out, at one time the UN moved the General Assembly meetings to Europe in a gesture of solidarity when Yasser Arafat was denied entry into the US.
Adds Halpern: "The US and the UN have a problematic relationship. One of the very tense aspects of that relationship is that all world leaders are supposed to be permitted entry to the US in order to address the United Nations. The UN believes that all voices including evil voices need be represented. They think that by casting the widest net, more good can evolve, that negotiations and improvements can occur. But the US has never accepted that principle. As a freedom- loving country, by attending and allowing despotic leaders into our borders, we give credibility to these despots."
Micah D. Halpern is a frequent analyst on network television and radio in the areas of terror, the Middle East and Muslim Fundamentalism. Halpern, a syndicated columnist, is also a well known social and political commentator, educator, and historian. He lectures frequently on issues relating to terror, foreign affairs, Israel and the Middle East, as well as wine history, and popular culture. He is also author of several books, including What You Need To Know About: Terror, and his latest Thugs: How History's Most Notorious Despots Transformed The World through Terror, Tyranny, and Mass Murder, a "who's who" of the most horrific despotic leaders that examines the motives and operational styles of the most vile and heinous movers and shakers of Europe, the Middle East and Asia throughout history. He also maintains The Micah Report http:// www.micahhalpern.com
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