TEHRAN American President George W. Bush in a meeting with American Jews voiced regret over mass killing of Jews in Russia during presidency of Theodor Roosevelt.

Bush was quoted by Radio Voice of America as saying that the conscience of the United States was offended and that the conscience should defend the rights of Jews.

The president also claimed that the United States is concerned about what he termed violation of rights of the minority religions in Iran and emphasized that like his predecessor his conscience would not allow him to be indifferent to the plight of minority religious groups in many of the countries of the world. He said specifically that Jews, Christians and Baha'is are mistreated in the Islamic Republic.

As Iranian minorities have said repeatedly, their rights are observed in the country and they enjoy as much freedom and equality as the res of the country. Iran recognizes all religions as lawful, but strongly rejects a so-called Baha'i sect which is a political entity formed and supportedby the West in order to undermine the teachings of Islam.

If the American president is so concerned about his conscience, he should look deeper into the American atrocities committed throughout the world. Where was American conscience during napalm bombings of Vietnam or random killings of North Koreans or the atomic bombing of Hiroshima? America cannot clear its past by sweet talks and rhetorics to please selected audiences. American conscience can only become meaningful when and if it can wash and clean the blood from its hands.