(2006-01-15) — The Islamic Republic of Iran today pledged to give $8 million to U.S. environmental groups to help preserve caribou habitat in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska.

Democrats in Congress, who have so far defeated Bush administration attempts to allow oil drilling in ANWR, praised the donation from “our Iranian brothers,” and noted how “concern for Mother Earth cuts across political, religious and cultural boundaries.”

The White House immediately released a statement calling the contribution a “bald attempt to hinder the U.S. from gaining energy independence so Iran can continue to pursue its nuclear ambitions with impunity by threatening global fuel price manipulation.”

However, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called ANWR a “pristine natural wonderland that must be preserved from the brutal assault of the oil derrick.”

“We Iranians are crazy for caribous,” said Mr. Ahmadinejad. “We love their flat little snouts, curly tails and pink skin. That’s why we unite with our brothers in the American environmental movement and Democrat party to save these cute little caribous.”

In praising Iran, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, said, “preserving ANWR is important, not only for the caribou, but as a potential place of refuge for the American people should the unthinkable happen, such as a nuclear attack on our cities.”

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