The following are MEMRI TV clips with former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami. They include interviews covered by Iranian Channel 1, Al-Arabiya TV, and Al-Jazeera TV.

Iranian President Khatami: I Expect No Change in U.S.-Iranian Relations; We Love Hizbullah; Chirac Told Us He Never Called to Disarm Hizbullah

The following are excerpts from an interview with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami that was aired July 14, 2005 by Al-Arabiyya TV:

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://memritv.org/clip/en/756.htm .

Khatami: "We have yet to reach a political conviction about establishing relations with America. As long as this is our policy, any government, whether conservative or reformist, cannot act contrary to it. I believe there will be no change in relations between Iran and the U.S. following the change of government. If the Americans change their methods and policies, the general policy of Iran will opt towards thing about changing its current attitude on this matter."

Host: "But Mr. President, some people accuse you of wanting to implement the model of the Iranian regime in Iraq through your allies."

Khatami: "Absolutely not. It is not true. We do not say that Iraq should follow the Iranian model - quite the contrary. We called upon the Iraqis to determine their [regime] by themselves, according to their own circumstances. The positions of Ayatollah Al-Sistani, Al-Hakim, Al-Ja'fari, and others prove that these rumors are false, and are nothing but a satanic attempt to damage relations between both sides. Iraq is Iraq and Iran is Iran. Iraq should have its own experience, especially in light of its ethnic and national fabric. Iraq needs a model that guarantees its adherence to Islam and its teachings, and embraces all its components. Clearly, we do not wish to impose our model on others.

"It is not in Lebanon's best interest to stop the resistance. We always support this idea. We believe that Hizbullah has an authentic Lebanese identity. We love Hizbullah. I emphasized this in talks with [French Prime Minister] Mr. Chirac, who said he has never called to weaken or disarm Hizbullah, and that on this matter, he is in disagreement with some of his European allies. Hizbullah will remain and will keep its weapons."

Iranian President Khatami: It is Difficult to Distinguish Between Bush and bin Laden

The following are excerpts from a speech by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, that was aired by Iranian Channel 1 on February 13, 2005.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://memritv.org/clip/en/558.htm .

Khatami: "Our problem is the violent and rigid voices heard in the world. One such voice was heard from Afghanistan during the Taliban rule, and another is being heard from the White House. This is a dangerous thing. Even though they confront one another, and pound and harm one another - Mr. bin Laden says: What I realized, with my narrow understanding… My God is the traditional and fanatic perspective of Islam - the Islam of 10 centuries ago - and I consider any innovation to be heretic. This is my truth. Anyone who doesn't agree with this point of view is an infidel, an atheist, and fair game. In order to kill him it is permitted to pulverize thousands of innocent people. In order to weaken him it is permitted to make millions miserable. This is one perspective. This very same voice is heard from the White House. It says: Whoever is not with us is against us, and war against him is a holy war. But if you delve a little deeper, and switch the words of Bush and bin Laden, you will be unable to distinguish between the two."

Iranian President Khatami Presents His Perception of Democracy: "America is Interested in Controlling the World; America Protects the Most Reactionary Regimes in the World"

The following are excerpts from a speech by Iranian president Mohammad Khatami, aired by Iranian Channel 1 on February 13, 2005.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://memritv.org/clip/en/557.htm.

Khatami: "It will be impossible to establish democracy here without the help of Islam. Not only is it impossible to establish a non-religious democracy, but we don't want it. The majority of our society doesn't want it either.

"You are entitled to ask why there has been no progress on the issues I've been raising. This is true. Many of our mottos have not been realized. But does this mean retreat? But does this mean I have backed down? Am I supposed to declare war against a regime that I accept in principle? I believe that if this regime is gone, it is not at all clear what will follow it - regardless of my religious belief. The people who want to change the constitution and the regime - can they guarantee that once the current regime is gone, Western-style democracy will be established here? Such a thing is impossible. With what public? With what faith? With what support? When there is no global support, will we ask for the support of the U.S. and the others, in order to establish democracy here? After all, America is interested in controlling the world. America protects the most reactionary regimes in the world. They are its allies.

"I'm not claiming that the Islamic Republic is faultless. I'm not claiming that there are no human rights violations in some places. I'm not claiming that writers and journalists are always treated justly. I'm not claiming that our situation is ideal, from the Islamic point of view. But this I say, loud and clear: Even by current standards, we are better off than all our neighbors. Furthermore, our people is undergoing a new experience of Islam. In contrast to the Islam of the Taliban, it wants to establish democracy. This regime is being attacked on all fronts by America. So those who oppose this regime and want America's support... We see everything the U.S. is doing in Iraq and Afghanistan today. It claims that it wants to devour the entire world. Do they want to create democracy here?! For me backing down means joining these people and joining the opinion of… No, not the public opinion… It means I should join the pressure against the Islamic Republic in order to make it disappear. If indeed the Islamic Republic is gone, democratic rule will not be established in this country."

Iranian President Khatami Tours Nuclear Facilities

The following are excerpts from a story on Al-Jazeera TV about Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's tour of nuclear facilities in Iran. The story aired March 31, 2005.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://memritv.org/clip/en/648.htm.

Reporter: "This is the first time that the Iranian authorities have opened the gates of their nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan to local and foreign media. The Natanz facility receives significant military protection and was built deep underground to resist any possible threat. The Natanz facility stopped its uranium enrichment after the IAEA sealed its centrifuges last year. The Isfahan facility, which produces yellowcake, continues to operate partially. It was clear that Khatami's tour to both facilities demonstrated that his government has high hopes to renew all of Iran's nuclear programs soon."

Khatami: "Despite all the pressures, Iran is on the threshold of producing nuclear fuel. You can rest assured that we will not relinquish our right to enrich uranium, and we will do what we say. We are sure a satisfactory understanding can be reached with our European friends."

Reporter: "While the Iranian president's declarations regarding the future of the dialogue with the Europeans were optimistic, they were not so optimistic towards the American administration. Khatami totally rejected Washington's proposal that his country relinquish its nuclear projects in return for incentives. Many Iranian experts did not conceal their disappointment with what they consider to be unjustified continued suspension of the activities in their nuclear facilities."

Iranian Official: "There is no justification, legal or moral, for the continued suspension of our nuclear activities, as long as our facilities are subject to close international inspection, not implemented on any other country in the world."

Reporter: "The decision-making circles in Tehran have become increasingly convinced of the need to take decisive position on the nuclear issue because any hesitation may have far-reaching ramifications on Iran's present and future."

Iranian President Khatami Clashes with Reformist Students at Tehran University

The following are excerpts from reports by various Arab and Iranian TV channels of an address by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to Tehran University students on Iranian Student Day. Soon after beginning his speech, President Khatami found himself under attack by reformist students, who voiced their disappointment in him. Source: Various Arab and Iranian TV channels, December 6, 2004.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://memritv.org/clip/en/401.htm.

Commentator: "Did they come in droves to criticize or to praise him? It was impossible to tell. But opinions were clearly divided, so much so that they came to blows. Mohammad Khatami, the president elected with the most support in Iran's history - this is what he has come to. Some complained, while others' harsh criticism at times even turned into curses. It seemed that the students of the conservative movement were the only ones who, uncharacteristically, defended the reformist president."

Male Student: "We, the students of the Basij, who are always accused of resisting the president, have come to defend him."

Female Student: "Why did you keep silent over many things and nominate yourself for a second term?"

Commentator: "Khatami defended his government's achievements in foreign relations and in managing the nuclear issue crisis vis-à-vis the international community."

Khatami: "The way we have dealt with the nuclear issue has removed a grave danger that threatened Iran. If we had not acted in an intelligent and calculated manner, we would now be facing problems."

Commentator: "In the area of internal policy and in response to the students' accusations of being remiss in handling the pressures of the conservative movement, especially of the Guardian Council, Khatami launched an attack against both the reformists and the conservatives. He accused voices in the reformist movement of following Iran's enemies."

Khatami: "Their behavior has cost them their popularity among most of the people. Today we hear voices in the reformist camp which are echoed by the enemies of this people."

[…]

Voice: "Dear friends, please be seated… Let us preserve the etiquette and honor of the university… I ask the dear friends… In the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful… University etiquette and honor require that we be more tolerant towards one another."

Voice: "At the university, Basij members have always been oppressed. In the entrance to the auditorium, some people were beaten. Those who were there saw me defend them. But the security men beat me too… They beat me as well as them. We have always been the oppressed in the university… Cannons, tanks, and Basij members are no more effective."

Voice: "I ask the friends to be more tolerant and patient."

[…]

Khatami: "Sir, this is against the rules of democracy. What are you doing? How many people are booing? Don't make me have you removed. Behave yourselves."

Crowd: "[shouting]"

Khatami: "Listen… Be patient. If people not yet in government cannot be tolerant, God forbid, what will happen once they reach the government? I believe that different views are being presented here by different people. I hope that… I hope…"

Crowd: "No more lies! No more lies! No more lies! No more lies! No more lies!"

Khatami: "All right… Okay, okay… You must be reasonable… Only dictators do not accept anyone who is different."

Crowd: [cheering]

Khatami: "I hope that we will not see dictators at the university."

Crowd: [applause]

Khatami: "We must be tolerant towards people with different opinions…"

[…]

Khatami: "I believe that the reforms should come from within the regime. I consider the Islamic Republic to be a great achievement of the most popular revolution in my lifetime."

Crowd: [applause]

Khatami: "As someone familiar with the pains of society, I see the necessity of preserving this regime. I see the Islamic revolution as the most important stage in Iran's recent history. I see the defense of [the revolution] as my individual duty, for the sake of democracy, freedom, and liberation from foreign control."

Crowd: [applause]

Khatami: "Long-lasting tyranny is our chronic pain, and the cure for this chronic pain is the rule of the people. We demand freedom. There is no escape. We want freedom in order to survive and to remain proud…"

Crowd: [cheering]

Khatami: "Dear sir, dear sir. Don't you want progress? Don't be angry. You are young. You don't know what this is all about."

[…]

Crowd: "Jannati, Jannati, you're the enemy of the people!"

Khatami: "If you represent the people, I am the enemy of the people."

Crowd: [cheering]

Voice in crowd: "Is your name Jannati?"

Voice in crowd: "What?"

Voice in crowd: "They are saying, Jannati, Jannati, you are the enemy of the people."

Khatami: "Oh, I thought you were saying Khatami."

Crowd: [laughs]

Khatami: "I thought you were saying 'Khatami.'"

Crowd: [shouting]

Khatami: "Remember, the protestors are standing before the president and shouting their slogans in complete freedom."

[…]

Crowd: [shouting]

Khatami: "I say this even now… The right way is to act within the Islamic Republic. Rest assured that beyond the Islamic Republic there will not be a democratic regime in the true sense of the word."

Crowd: [cheering, applause]

Khatami: "Don't be tempted by those who were banished from the revolution and want to give us the gift of 'freedom' and 'democracy.'"

[…]

Crowd: [cheering]

Khatami: "Brothers and sisters, thank God my term is over. But if anybody is owed anything, it is me."

Crowd: [shouts, booing]

Khatami: "I'm not saying that the people is indebted to me. The people is the benefactor. The public owes me nothing. The public is the benefactor. But as the representative of this people, I say that some movements are indebted to me. Those fanatics with twisted minds, who lust for power, and who ignore the popular reform movement and its demands, have mobilized forces against this trend instead of conceding to the public and its demands. These demands stem from the public's desires that were manifest in the epic of May 23 [1997, when Khatami was elected]. They objected because of their envy and created obstacles."

[…]

Female student to interviewer: "I don't think President Khatami was able to fulfill his promises. I don't want to criticize him. However, even though he has always claimed to be honest, he did not have clear positions."

Male student to interviewer: "In general, his term was a good one. We have succeeded in opening up to the world, and our relations with many countries have improved."

Male student #2: "President Khatami enjoyed great support for a while, and I voted for him in the elections. But he was not able to use this support in order to fulfill his promises."

Iranian President Khatami Clashes With Reformist Students at Tehran University (Part II)

The following are excerpts from an Iranian Channel 1 report on an address by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to Tehran University students on Iranian Student Day. This is Part II of MEMRI TV Clip No. 401.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://memritv.org/clip/en/408.htm

Female student: "Mr. Khatami, we have gathered here today to listen to what you have to say in your last year in office, but unfortunately none of the calls we made outside were heard inside. Not everyone could enter this hall. Outside there was a commotion. We were told that women would fill half the hall. Take a look! I consider you an honest man. Do women fill half the hall?

"Just a minute. I didn't say this so you would clap or whistle. You've been sitting here comfortably since the morning. You didn't see what was going on outside."

[…]

"But something you should know about happened outside, Mr. Khatami. They closed the door and didn't let anyone in, until the door broke. With my own eyes I saw someone whose hand was cut by the glass. With all kinds of excuses they prevented us from entering by any of the doors. There was a man there - whom I don't see here - who insulted me in a way that I will not forget for the rest of my life, and I will pay him in kind, him and everyone else."

Moderator: "Thank you. I am grateful."

Student: "Look, Mr. Khatami."

Moderator: "One moment. One moment. I'd appreciate it if you would... the program must continue as planned."

Female student: "This plan left everyone behind these doors. Your plan prevented us from entering. This was your plan... I don't know your last name, I think it's Mr. Qobadi...According to your plan, dear sir, whatever your name is - many people were crushed out there…"

Crowd: "Khatami, you turned your back on us!"

Crowd: "Khatami, you turned your back on us!"

Crowd: "Khatami, you turned your back on us!"

Khatami: "What are they saying?"

Moderator: "Some of the friends in the hall are expressing their opinion."

Crowd: "Khatami, you turned your back on us!"

Khatami: "I don't understand what they are saying. Say it clearly so I can understand what you're saying."

Moderator: "They are saying: 'Khatami, you turned your back on us.'"

Khatami: "No, no, no. Now my face is turned towards you.

"I strongly believe that there is no other way to save the country except to establish democracy. We can preserve Islam only by preserving democracy. This is true only if our view of Islam is compatible with the principles of democracy. In the Islam I know, the vote of the people is not just a formality."

Crowd: "Yes it is! Yes it is!"

Khatami: "The regime… The regime... Allow me… The regime with all its institutions relies upon the vote of the people."

Crowd: "No it doesn't! No it doesn't!"

Khatami: "The main point of our friends' criticism is that Khatami used slogans that were then retracted. What slogan did I use and then retract? Allow me… Allow me…. There is room for debate."

Crowd: "Free elections!"

Khatami: "And if…"

Crowd: "Free elections! Free elections! Free elections! - Free elections!"

Khatami: "OK, allow me... We can't discuss each issue separately. Wait till the end. Even if there was a retraction - I didn't give up to anyone or anything, except the regime in which I believe. As for those who claim that our problem lies in our being religious - first, they're saying nothing new. Second, they are very superficial. Others have said better things. Third, with this view, they are leading the country down a dangerous path."