US President Donald Trump’s speech at UN General Assembly was a pack of vitriol against other UN members. His extraordinary threats against North Korea, Iran and Venezuela have undermined the very principles and values of the United Nations.

He said the US would have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. On Iran, he stated the Iranian government masks a corrupt dictatorship behind the false guise of democracy. Trump’s calling North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un a ‘rocket man’ and his hints at planning to scrap the nuclear deal with Iran are against the injunctions of diplomacy.

President Hassan Rouhani’s speech, on the other hand, was sensible and spoke about his leadership qualities. Rouhani said Iran did not issue threats and tolerate threats from anyone or any power.

In stark contrast to Trump’s speech – as a president of United States I will always put America first – Rouhani said in today’s world peace, security , stability and progress of all nations were intertwined.

In response to the Trump statement – “we are spending $700 billion on our military” – Rouhani said “the path of moderation is beautiful but deadly weapon exports are not beautiful.”

Trump sounded like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani like Barack Obama.

Israr Ahmad Chatha

Gujranwala

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2017