ONE AND DONE:

Khatemi's Words Anger Tehran (zaman.com, September 10, 2006)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad has recently aroused world controversy with his statements opposing Israeli and denying the Holocaust. However, the populist leader is mostly opposed in his own country. [...]

Paying a visit the U.S. to make statements at several conferences upon the invitation of American Muslims, Khatemi goes on criticizing the current Iranian administration’s position. In a statement to Time Magazine, the former president called the Jewish holocaust a historical fact: “I personally believe that he really didn't deny the existence of the Holocaust. I believe the Holocaust was the crime of Nazism. But it is possible that the Holocaust, which is an absolute fact, a historical fact, can be misused. The Holocaust should not be, in any way, an excuse for the suppression of Palestinian rights.” [...]

Known as being a reformist president, Khatemi in his weekly statements defined the U.S. as “a great country with its people, huge capacity and potential,” contradicting Ahmedinajad’s harsh definition of the U.S. as “The Great Satan.”

Khatemi’s other striking statement was that Iran backed Palestine living close with Israel.

No one understands better than Mr. Khatemi what it means for Ahmedinejad not to have the support of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 10, 2006 10:22 AM