i’d like to teach the world to sing~

President Obama released a special video message for all those celebrating Nowruz. Translated “New Day,” Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the New Year for millions in Iran and other communities around the world. This year, the President wanted to send a special message to the people and government of Iran on Nowruz, acknowledging the strain in our relations over the last few decades. “But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together,” he says.

Partial transcript:

“I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nowruz is just one part of your great and celebrated culture. Over many centuries your art, your music, literature and innovation have made the world a better and more beautiful place.

Here in the United States our own communities have been enhanced by the contributions of Iranian Americans. We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world.

For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together. Indeed, you will be celebrating your New Year in much the same way that we Americans mark our holidays — by gathering with friends and family, exchanging gifts and stories, and looking to the future with a renewed sense of hope.

Within these celebrations lies the promise of a new day, the promise of opportunity for our children, security for our families, progress for our communities, and peace between nations. Those are shared hopes, those are common dreams.

So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran’s leaders….

With the coming of a new season, we’re reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning.”

How did Iran respond?

“We welcome the wish of the president of the United States to put away past differences,” Ali Akbar Javanfekr, Mr Ahmadinejad’s press advisor was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

“But the way to do that is not by Iran forgetting the previous hostile and aggressive attitude of the United States. The American administration has to recognise its past mistakes and repair them as a way to put away the differences.”

He said Iran would not forget the role the US played when Mohammad Mossadeq, the former prime minister, was overthrown in a coup in 1953. Nor would it forget the 1988 shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane by a US warship in which all 290 people aboard were killed.

He added that Tehran would also remember America’s support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, the sanctions it levied against Iran and its support for Iran’s main militant opposition group, the People’s Mujahideen of Iran.

“But this attitude of the United States did not weaken us and now the Islamic Republic of Iran is very strong in the world,” he said. “The only source of instability in the region is the American military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

And:

In an almost simultaneous announcement, from Iran’s energy minister, Parviz Fattah, said that the country would “finish and operate” its controversial Russian-built Bushehr nuclear plant by the end of the year.

“Iran has chosen a direction for achieving peaceful nuclear energy. We have mainly reached this aim,” he said at the World Water Forum in Istanbul.

“Exactly 20 days from now we will have another celebration for celebrating the achievements we have gained for peaceful nuclear energy. You will hear about the news,” he said.

“Iran will finish and operate the Bushehr nuclear plant by the end of this year.”

Iran’s supreme leader rebuffed President Barack Obama’s latest outreach on Saturday, saying Tehran was still waiting to see concrete changes in U.S. policy.

In his most direct assessment of Obama and prospects for better ties, Khamenei said there will be no change between the two countries unless the American president puts an end to U.S. hostility toward Iran and brings ”real changes” in foreign policy.

”They chant the slogan of change but no change is seen in practice. We haven’t seen any change,” Khamenei said in a speech before a crowd of tens of thousands in the northeastern holy city of Mashhad.

Khamenei asked how Obama could congratulate Iranians on the new year and accuse the country of supporting terrorism and seeking nuclear weapons in the same message.

Khamenei said there has been no change even in Obama’s language compared to that of his predecessor.

”He (Obama) insulted the Islamic Republic of Iran from the first day. If you are right that change has come, where is that change? What is the sign of that change? Make it clear for us what has changed.”

Maybe they’re Pepsi drinkers?

You can view the real video message here. I was just having a little fun.