Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stood before the United Nations General Assembly this morning, where he called for a restructuring of the U.N. and greater fairness for all of humanity. Toward the end of his address, he said that "a great and historic mission can be accomplished" if the world comes together to solve the world's problems, while earlier making favorable references to Occupy Wall Street and lambasting the "uncivilized Zionists."
Despite his sometimes inflammatory rhetoric, Ahmadinejad (just this morning, he was calling for a new world order and speaking out against the U.S.), the Iranian president opened his speech by thanking "the almighty God" for the opportunity to speak and by calling for the world to "work together for building a better life for [the] entire human community."
As is generally the case, the fiery leader took the time to praise Iran for its "glory and beauty," while also heralding the country's culture, wisdom, morality -- and its multitude of scientists, philosophers and masters of literature. This, of course, was only a snippet of the accolades he showered upon his homeland.
Ahmadinejad then moved on to discuss the current global schema, presenting its central tenets through his worldview. While he is typically very open during these speeches about his views on the U.S. and Israel, he seemed to hold back from naming either of the nations too fervently. Still, it was clear which countries he was speaking about at various points throughout the address.
Despite the overall, toned-down nature of his words, there was one section in which he lambasted the "imposition of a fake government [and] displacement and genocide of millions of people around the globe," purportedly speaking about his views on Israel. At another point, he also berated the "uncivilized Zionists" who have threatened to attack Iran over its nuclear weapons program.
Toward the middle of his speech, it seemed as though Ahmadinejad was speaking out in an effort to court those sympathetic to the Occupy Wall Street movement. After lamenting about the economic chaos and income disparity present across the globe, he praised the so-called 99 percent (a terminology that is central to the Occupy Wall Street movement).
While speaking about poverty and the general populace, he said, "In the United States and europe their (the citizens') voices arent heard even if them comprise of 99 percent of the societies."
The Iranian president, mirroring his comments to the Associated Press earlier in the day, spoke about the need for a new world order.
"The current world order has certain characteristics -- some of which are as follows," he explained. "It is founded on materialism and that is why it is in no way bound to moral values. It has been shaped according to selfishness, deception, hatred and animosity...It seeks to expand its domination...to monopoligze power, wealth, science and technology for a limited group."
In his assessment of the global economic, social and political systems, Ahmadinejad painted a dire picture, claiming that "a limited number of countries" exploit others and that consumerism controls too many nations' motivations. He derided "unilateralism," "double standards" and the purportedly controlling nature of "the hegemonic powers."
"A state of mistrust has cast its shadow on the international relations," he proclaimed, later adding, "Today, everyone is discontented and disappointed with the current international order."
He also spoke out about women and the family -- two enterprises that he believes are in danger in nations across the globe.
"Women's sublime role and personality as a heavenly being...and the main pillar of every society has been damaged and abused by the powerful and wealthy," he explained, without going into greater detail.
His overall push was for a restructuring of the U.N. and greater access to influence for nations like Iran. On the economic front, he dismissed capitalism, labeling the system as inept and unable to solve the world's problems.
"On one hand, Marxism is no longer around," he said. "And on the other, capitalism is bogged down in a self-made quagmire."
Watch the speech, below:
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