These are the kind of truly stupid utterances that bring us all closer to a war with Iran (which would, by the way, according to most war-gamed scenarios, cause the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to pale in comparison). Mr. Ahmadinejad is entitled to believe what he wants - but for a major world leader to make such statements is incredibly irresponsible. He has to know that it gives all those across the planet who fear Iran's motives and intentions, even more reason for that fear. And he just refilled the ammo locker of those (most prominently, Mr. Netanyahu and his neocon pro-Likud echo chorus here in the US) who are itching to attack Iran.
Unfortunately, Reuters also perpetuates in this report the false assertion that Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be "wiped off the map." As Juan Cole most prominently has pointed out, the correct translation of his words was to claim that Israel would "disappear from the pages of history." (And in selecting those words, A. was simply repeating a comment of the Ayatollah Khomeini quite a few years ago.)
Unfortunately, Reuters also perpetuates in this report the false assertion that Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be "wiped off the map." As Juan Cole most prominently has pointed out, the correct translation of his words was to claim that Israel would "disappear from the pages of history." (And in selecting those words, A. was simply repeating a comment of the Ayatollah Khomeini quite a few years ago.)
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