The following are excerpts from a press conference with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which aired on the Iranian News Channel (IRINN) on August 29, 2006.
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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "With regard to the Middle East, we want to remove the root of all tensions. We've said this from the beginning, and we say the same thing now: Look what is the root of 60 years of tensions, conflicts, killings, crimes, oppression, and refugees. Let us resolve the root of the problem. We have proposed a solution, which is very humane. Of course, we have always acknowledged the right of all the peoples of the region to legitimate defense, and we are acknowledging it now. Therefore, our positions have not changed.
"With regard to America, I have said that our position is crystal clear. We disagree with their method of running the world. We oppose it. This is a method of dominance, a method that emerged as a consequence of relations in World War II, a method that is one-sided and hegemonic."
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"They issued a resolution, and made a bit of a mess. Nevertheless, Mr. Kofi Annan called me and said: 'Don't pay any attention to them. They were hasty, and what they did was not a good thing. Do what you have to do.' Despite this, the Iranian people displayed nobility and did the right thing. At that time, we could have put everything aside, and said that as long as they do not modify [the resolution] and prove their fairness, we will not take any further measures. Nevertheless, we gave them another opportunity. I believe that the opportunity the Iranian people gave the European countries is a very exceptional opportunity. This is an exceptional opportunity to bring about a just solution to all the issues, assuming that they want justice, and I hope they do."
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Reporter 1: "At the recent exhibition for journalism and news agencies, you visited the pavilion of the Qods news agency, and said you have a special, exclusive news item for our colleagues in the Qods news agency. The news item was that Palestine would soon be liberated. You implored us to bring this item to everybody's attention. What is the source of this item? Do you know anything about this that the public does not know? What do you mean by 'soon'? Thank you."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Allah willing, it will be soon. I have said it before, and I think it is clear. Just look at what is happening. We have offered a referendum, and ultimately, they will have to accept it. If the referendum proposal is accepted, many of the problems will be resolved."
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Reporter 2: "Mr. President, is it not high time that with the help of several judges, who are distinguished, courageous, capable, and revolutionary... Some economic terrorists... as well as the moral corruption, which was brought to Iran by the West... For our people, the moral corruption which has spread in our country is worse than economic corruption. Is it not high time that with the help of these judges, you bring to trial these elements, whose crime is known to all? I hope that, just like they do in China, you will punish them with the guillotine."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "God bless you."
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Reporter 2: "On the occasion of these holy days, when our youth should be completely prepared to fight the Zionists, and the agents of America, in Iran and outside it - allow me to recite several lines of a poem."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Recite your poem."
Reporter 2: "Shall I recite it?"
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Recite just two lines. Don't make it too long. We don't have time."
Reporter 2: "On the holiday marking Mohammad's prophecy, you invited me to come here and say everything I have to say."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "OK, you've said what you had to say, now please recite just two lines. Recite the best part."
Reporter 2: "Shall I recite it?"
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Just the best part."
Reporter 2: "But it's all good."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "So read the middle."
Reporter 2: "For the sake of defending our homeland, we will give up even our heads.
"We will attack any enemy like lions.
"We are known all over the world for our fearlessness and manliness.
"For the sake of God, we will turn our chests to shields."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "Well done. You were supposed to recite only two lines. Mr. Mardoukhi, you are a seeker of justice, so we have to make time for..."
Reporter 2: "This poem suits our times. Our youth are in need of this poem."
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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "I don't think that two or three countries, which enjoy the privileges they got as a windfall following World War II, may consider themselves on a part with the entire international community. No way. I ask them if they too are willing to open the gates of their nuclear facilities to reporters. Who are the ones who are making bombs in the world? Who should be feared? Who generates insecurity? Who are not those who are now testing the third generation of [nuclear] bombs? They even used these bombs once, killing 200-300 thousand people. Not even a month has passed since the commemoration day for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These people shouldn't even have the right to talk! They should really be ashamed when they talk about confidence and so on. They themselves should heed the NPT regulations. They should destroy their nuclear weapons, and let the world live in peace. They are the ones who should supply answers, not us.
"With regard to Iraq too, we ask: What are the American forces doing there? What is their role? They say that three and a half years ago, they came to topple Saddam. Fine. It was you who encouraged Saddam to attack other countries. You instilled courage in him and supported him. You were the cause of all of Saddam's crimes. One day, he ceased to be useful to you, and you wanted to remove him, so you did. What are you doing now? Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis were killed after your arrival in Iraq. Tens of thousands of ordinary citizens were wounded as a result of the American use of bullets containing depleted uranium. The question is what America is doing in Iraq. In any case, Saddam has been toppled, and Iraq has a government, a parliament, a president, a prime minister, and a constitution. So what are you doing there? According to the law, you are responsible for people's security, so why are you killing them? Why does the Iraqi interior minister say the Americans are behind all the terror activities and bombings in Iraq? Why? We say that you should pursue security, not oil. We say that instead of killing people and taking the oil, the Americans should love the people a little. After all, the Iraqis are human beings too, and they have feelings and love. Fathers love their sons, and sons love their mothers. Families there are falling apart. You came here because of your economic interests, you brought almost 200,000 troops, you are still occupying an entire country, you are not letting [the Iraqis] determine Saddam's fate, and you are not letting the Iraqi government do its job. You do not leave Iraq, which would allow people to make their own choices. With every day that passes, you strengthen the terrorist groups. Why are you doing this? Stop it."
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"We want relations, good relations, with all the countries, with the exception of one country, which we do not recognize. We consider it illegitimate and an imposed [entity], but we are interested in relations with the other countries and governments. America is no exception. But America broke off its relations [with Iran] under certain circumstances, thinking this would pressure us. This too stems from the stance of the American administration. The American administration is still dreaming of returning the Iranian people 30 years backwards. As long as America has this dream, these [relations] will not happen. They should wake up from this dream and see the facts. They should change their behavior and mend their ways. They should take a fair position. We have told them what they have to do, and if they do it, there will be no problem as far as we are concerned."
