One of World's Most Controversial Leaders Arrives In New York

Saturday, September 22, 2007

09/22/2007 -- The president of Iran says the holocaust is a myth, Israel should be destroyed, and his country should be allowed to build nuclear weapons.

Iran's military might paraded through with streets outside of Tehran with soldiers, missiles and tanks bearing the slogans "Death to America" and "Down with Israel." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told crowds neither threats nor economic sanctions will stop his country's technological progress.

Ahmadinejad will arrive in New York City Sunday for a United Nations general assembly meeting. He had asked to lay a wreath at ground zero, but the state department and the NYPD will not allow it.

Tom Casey, State Department, says "It does seem rather appalling for an individual who is one of the world's largest sponsors of terror to visit a place where so many people lost their lives in a terrorist incident." Many New Yorkers agree. Charles Wolf, 9-11 widower, says "I find it ridiculous; I think he's trying to play us again."

Allen Curtis, Ground Zero visitor, says "Anyone that sanctions terrorism in any form or fashion should not be permitted on this soil."

Ahmadinejad will be permitted at Columbia University, to give a speech and take questions on Monday. People have begun protesting his visit, though most students say they welcome it. Deborah Beim, Columbia University student, says "I'm glad to be in an environment where I feel comfortable having him come speak."

Josh Foster, Columbia University student, says "As much as I might disagree with his opinions you can't debate someone until you hear them out."

Ahmadinejad says he wants to pay his respects at Ground Zero and is surprised that so many Americans do not want him to visit. He will spend 2 days in New York City, and is expected to draw protestors where ever he goes.

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