•  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gives master lecture in University of Havana’s Aula Magna

By DALIA GONZÁLEZ DELGADO 

"CAPITALISM is in decline. The world needs a new outlook which shows respect for all human beings," the President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said during a master lecture given at the University of Havana within its Aula Magna, where the visiting leader was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science.

"My presence in Cuba is evidence of the solidarity between our two revolutionary peoples," he affirmed.

According to the President, the most basic human objective is to be happy and there are three necessary prerequisites to achieving happiness: knowledge, justice and love for one’s neighbors.

As for the first, he defended the importance of scientific knowledge, but denounced its use to kill and humiliate human beings.

He blamed capitalist economic theory for having condemned millions of people to poverty and for the continuing exploitation of peoples.

"The roots of all wars lie in injustice. Only justice can guarantee security. Only justice can guarantee true peace. The project we share is the struggle against injustice," he emphasized.

Ahmadinejad emphatically condemned the United States wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in a clear reference to the current U.S. government, he criticized, "those who make war to win Presidential elections."

He asserted that the capitalist system inherently leads to injustice. "When they lack logical arguments, they resort to weapons, to kill and destroy. Today all that is left to the capitalist system is to kill. It is a failing system, in decline." In some areas, he said, capitalism finds itself "with no way out."

Thus, he called for a new world order based on justice, which respects all human beings. He encouraged Cuba and its universities to work together with Iran to create it. "We are with you in this struggle to achieve dignity for human beings."

"We have to be astute, alert. If we don’t propose a new future world order, we will inherit one created by slave owners and capitalists, who will impose and control the new system," he added.

The Iranian President condemned imperialism as an inhumane school of thought. "Justice will be done."

In attendance at the ceremony during which Ahmadinejad was awarded an Honorary Doctorate were Esteban Lazo Hernández, Vice President of the Council of State; Gustavo Cobreiro Suárez, University of Havana Rector; José Carlos Vázquez López, Dean of the Philosophy and History Faculty; and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba.

Cobreiro explained why the important distinction was granted Ahmadinejad. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was an historic landmark. During his two administrations, since 2005, Ahmadinejad has strengthened his country’s relations with Cuba and promoted ties with Latin America. Additionally he has defended his people’s right to self-determination against foreign aggression.

Carlos Vásquez reviewed Ahmadinejad’s political career and recalled that he joined his people’s struggles as a very young man.

With the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, he became one of the founders of the Islamic Student Association at the University of Science and Technology.

Following the lecture, Ahmadinejad placed a wreath at the José Martí Memorial Monument in Havana’s Plaza de la Revolución, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina. He visited the museum and was offered an explanation of the life and work of José Martí.

The Iranian leader arrived in Cuba January 11 and was received at José Martí International Airport by Vice President Esteban Lazo.

Cuba was the third stop on Ahmadinejad’s tour of four Latin American countries.

January 12, 2012

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