Sooner or later, someone's going to have to start paying attention to this stuff.


Ahmadinejad says Israel will be removed soon
The Associated Press Published: August 20, 2008

TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is calling Israel a "germ of corruption" that will be "removed soon."

The comments were posted Wednesday on his presidential Web site. They appear to be part of an effort to defuse criticism by hard-liners over recent remarks made by a high-level official.
Last week, Iranian media quoted Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashai as saying Iranians were "friends of all people in the world — even Israelis."

The comments were rare from a government official in Iran, whose president regularly calls for Israel's destruction. They sparked domestic criticism of Mashai, with some officials calling for his resignation.

[By the way, Mashai, the great friend of Israel, apparently has a nuanced view of friendship --Mark

Following are excerpts from an interview with Iranian Vice President Esfandyar Rahim Mashai, which aired on Al-Manar TV on July 28, 2008. Mashai reportedly said earlier this week that Iran is the friend of the citizens in Israel and the U.S. The translation is based on the Arabic voiceover. [From MEMRI]

Esfandyar Rahim Mashai: The Islamic Republic of Iran did not, does not, and will not accept the legitimacy of this Zionist entity. No Iranian citizen or party will ever accept this... ]

In 2005, Ahmadinejad said he believed Israel should be "wiped off the map."