Where is the Accountability?
The behavior of state officials in the world arena can be viewed as a reflection of the peculiarities of their country?s domestic political system.
At this year?s annual General Assembly meeting of the United Nations, I witnessed the speech of the president of the country where I was born, and the speech of the foreign minister of Holland, the representative of the country to whose Parliament I have been elected. Mr. Ahmadinejad spoke on behalf of Iran, a country whose people have no effective way to hold his, and other officials? words or behavior responsible. In fact, officials like them do not believe in being accountable to the public. On the other hand, the Dutch official is under watch by the people of Holland, its media and parties. If he speaks against the mainstream public opinion or his beyond authority, he will be immediately questioned and censured.
The consequences of the differences between these two approaches to government are clear: Mr. Ahmadinejad can say anything he wishes at any time he wills. Following that, he can as easily deny or reject any of his statements as well.
While in New York, Mr. Ahmadinejad engaged in a series of media interviews but in none of them was he willing to respond to the remarks he had made earlier about international issues. Specifically, during the entire year Mr. Ahmadinejad had repeatedly made outrageous and offensive comments and claims through the domestic Iranian media, he refrained and even at times joked about the questions that were raised by the international media which was curious about those earlier remarks.
We clearly denounce the remarks of the Iranian president on such issues as ?wiping off Israel? or denying the existence of the Holocaust. However, if these sensational remarks that he made were the pre-planned policies of the Iranian government (or even if the purpose of Mr. Ahmadinejad in making bitter anti-American and anti-Israeli speeches was to attract Muslims around the world), then one would expect him to welcome the opportunity to spread his gospel through the most influential media while in New York. But surprisingly, not only did he not do that, he did not even try to explain his earlier statements or positions.
One can recall the mounting pressure that was created on Iran following Mr. Ahmadinejad?s harsh and shocking remarks last year, subjecting Iranians around the world to negative views and propaganda. But since his remarks and their negative international impact never led to any domestic pressure against him or his cabinet, he can replay this game any time he wishes, despite the mounting international diplomatic pressures, or act as if he never said them.
We know that this type of behavior is not exclusive to Mr. Ahmadinejad. The officials of all non-democratic systems around the world, practice this regularly and are not accountable to domestic forums. They repeatedly make comments for short-term political and propaganda benefits, without clearly defending them at the international level.
The reality is that regardless of whether these officials should be made accountable for their international statements or behavior, the people of their country have no choice but pay the price of their blunders and actions. So while Mr. Ahmadinejad can simply ignore his domestic speeches and outrage that he created, it will be the Iranian nation that will be held accountable for them through the hardships they will face.
published in http://www.roozonline.com
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