International
Invitation to Ahmadinejad speaks of US greatness: Bush

Washington, Sept. 26 (AP): US President George W Bush Tuesday said that the speaking appearance of Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at a US university "speaks volumes about really the greatness of America."

He said if the president of Columbia University President, Lee Bollinger, considers Ahmadinejad's visit an educational experience for Columbia students, "I guess it's OK with me."

Bush spoke about the mercurial Iranian's appearance at the prestigious university in New York City in an interview with Fox News Channel.

The invitation to Ahmadinejad has many opponents angry because of Iran's human rights record under Ahmadinejad. Protesters assembled at Columbia against his appearance. Hundreds staged a rally against Ahmadinejad at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from the United Nations.

Speaking about Columbia, Bush said in the Fox interview "This is a place of high-learning, and if the president thinks it's a good idea to have the leader from Iran come and talk to the students as an educational experience, I guess it's okay with me."

He said later "I mean, when you really think about it, he's the head of a state sponsor of terror, he's - and yet an institution in our country gives him a chance to express his point of view, which really speaks to the freedoms of the country."

Bush said he was not sure whether he would have offered the Iranian the Columbia podium, "but nevertheless, it speaks volumes about really the greatness of America. We're confident enough to let a person come and express his views. I just hope he tells everybody the truth."

International

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