[Peace-discuss] Inclusive Presidential Debates

[C. G. Estabrook]

[If not "truly inclusive," this would be at least more inclusive than any other 
so far proposed.  I await The Nation's enthusiastic acceptance.  --CGE]

	Iran's Ahmadinejad challenges Obama, McCain to debate	
	Jul 8 08:11 AM US/Eastern

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday challenged the candidates vying 
for the US presidency to a debate and called for "fundamental change" in the 
next US government.

Ahmadinejad said he would be willing to meet with Democratic candidate Barack 
Obama, who has taken fire from his opponents over his offer to talk -- if 
elected president -- with the leaders of several US foes including Iran.

"I announce my readiness to meet with all the (US presidential) candidates of 
the United States in front of the media," the Iranian president told a press 
conference at the D8 summit of developing nations.

"To build confidence in the region (we need) to have fundamental change in the 
next US government," he added. Ahmadinejad has previously challenged Bush to a 
debate at the United Nations.

The Iranian leader also called for United States military bases across the world 
to be "eradicated".

"The greatest threat in the Middle East and to countries in the world is US 
intervention," he said. "The military bases in the whole world should be 
eradicated and removed."

Ahmadinejad, who is embroiled in a wrangle with the West over Iran's nuclear 
enrichment programme, called on the major powers to "withdraw from animosity and 
hostile actions against us".

"Justice, peace and friendship is also to their benefit," he said.

He reiterated that his country would not pull back from its nuclear ambitions 
and called on Washington to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

"No one in Iran will go back from our nuclear position," he said. "We want 
dialogue for the benefit of all sides but within the framework of law and justice"

"To rebuild confidence, the US must withdraw its forces from Iraq and allow the 
fate of the people of Iraq and regional countries to be written by the hands of 
their own people," he said.

Copyright AFP 2008.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080708121056.0qkkhodl&show_article=1


Walter Pituc wrote:
> Here is a good piece by the The Nation about the need for truly 
> inclusive Presidential debates...