Making Merry with Mahmoud?

It's not new news that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has tried to capitalize on Christmas: take, for example, his 2006 Christmas message, still on his non-updated Web site. It's basically his version of a "what would Jesus do?" rumination. But this year's message, carried on TV in the United Kingdom, ruffled some feathers. More:

"The government has criticised Channel 4's decision to broadcast an alternative Christmas message by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

A foreign and commonwealth office spokeswoman said today that the move would cause offence around the world.

'President Ahmadinejad has during his time in office made a series of appalling anti-Semitic statements,' she said. 'The British media are rightly free to make their own editorial choices, but this invitation will cause offence and amusement not just at home but amongst friendly countries abroad.'

Channel 4's alternative message, designed as a contrast to the traditional Queen's speech, has featured a number of leftfield figures in the past but the choice of Ahmadinejad, whose aggressive stance towards Israel and the west - including an alleged attempt to pursue a nuclear weapons programme, has proved particularly controversial."

True... "peace on Earth" is not the first goal that springs to mind when one thinks of Ahmadinejad.

The official Iranian take? "Ahmadinejad's Christmas message on British TV irks Zionists."

For the spoof version of his New Year's address, check out the Times.