It's a preview:
"To read a full transcript of Scott MacLeod's interview with Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, check Time.com on Monday December 18"
Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006
Ahmadinejad's Ambitions
In an exclusive interview, the Iranian President — and Person of the
Year candidate — discusses his conference questioning the Holocaust, his
letter to the American people and the state of his nuclear plans
By SCOTT MACLEOD/TEHRAN
On Wednesday evening I sat down with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad for a 75 minute interview — TIME's second with the
controversial leader in just the past three months. Ahmadinejad was as
spirited as ever — answering questions with questions ("Do you not
believe in God?"), correcting the interpreter's translations (he
understands some English but prefers not to speak it) and laughing when
he felt he had scored a rhetorical point.
Despite his demeanor, Ahmadinejad was in the midst of a tense week, in
which he had welcomed delegates to a conference questioning the Jewish
Holocaust, taken on students at Amir Khabir University who chanted
"Death to the Dictator!" and campaigned for candidates in Iranian
municipal elections, including his sister, who's running for Tehran city
council. In short, it was a typical week for the United States' most
prominent and charismatic irritant not named Kim Jong-il, and we
discussed all of the events in 2006 that saw Ahmedinajad become a major
player on the world stage.
TIME: Why did you write your recent letter to the American people?
AHMADINEJAD: Did you read it? My letter had different aims and goals.
Many American citizens, in the messages and letters they sent, requested
that I bring up my points of view directly. Many of them said that the
government of America doesn't let them receive my points of view in its
entirety and without distortions. So I talked to them directly.
The behavior of the American government has severely damaged the
position of the United States in the world. No country in the world
looks upon America as a friend. When the U.S. name is mentioned, usually
people are reminded of war, aggression and bloodshed, and that's not a
good thing. In other words, the American people are paying for something
they don't believe in.
Was this a public relations exercise to improve your image, or do you
really want a dialogue with the United States?
We separate the account of the American people and the American
government. With the government of the U.S., the issue is different. I
sent a letter to Mr. Bush. I really wanted him to revise his behavior.
But apparently it didn't have any effect.
The Baker-Hamilton commission recommended the U.S. initiate a dialogue
with you. If the Bush Administration reached out to Iran, are you ready
to talk to President Bush now?
We believe that the decision makers in America should change their
outlook. What they are thinking is only their own interests. They do not
consider any value for the people of the region. They should believe
that the Iraqi people are also human beings. They can run their own
affairs by themselves. They have no need for need for a guardian. If the
outlook of the of the American management is changed, then ways will be
found for solving the problem.
So will you talk to the U.S. or not?
We want to resolve the problem. We do not want to waste time. We do not
want a political game. What we want is for the rights of the Iraqi
people to be returned to them. If the government of the United States
changes its behavior, the conditions will be changed. Then a dialogue
could take place.
You've just held a conference questioning the Holocaust. Why not hold a
peace conference instead? You could invite the Israelis and Palestinians
to talk about peace, instead of what happened 60 years ago.
As a matter of fact this conference was in line of peace. Because for
the past 60 years, the Palestinian people have been suppressed using the
Holocaust as the pretext. If the issue of the Holocaust became clear,
the issue would be solved.
How?
When the issue becomes clear, and understood that the Holocaust does not
have any relationship with the Palestinian people, then we will have two
proposals for the Western and European countries. The first solution is
that in the same way that you mounted this regime in the past, you can
remove it yourself. You know well that the Holocaust has nothing to do
with the Palestinian people. That was just a pretext to create this
regime. And it was not a good excuse. Just cease to support it. Don't
use your people's money to assist this violent regime. This is the best
solution. If they do not accept the first solution, then they should
allow the nation of Palestine to make their decision about its own fate.
Anyone who is a Palestinian citizen, whether they are Christian, Jewish
or Muslim, should decide together in a very free referendum.
There is no need for war. There is no need for threats or an the atomic
bomb either.
Israel isn't going to accept any of this.
If the American and British government do not support and help them, and
they stop using their power and influence they will accept.
Without a war?
Yes. Why not? Everyone knows that the Zionist regime is a tool in the
hands of the United States and British governments.
Prime Minister Olmert seemed to acknowledge this week that Israel has
nuclear weapons. Does that change Iran's need or determination to have
nuclear weapons?
The era for bombs and atoms and weapons has come to an end. People
should be talked to with reason. Where are the ones who used nuclear
bombs in Hiroshima? Their era is over. This literature belonged to 60
years ago. Now it's the time for dialogue, logic as well as law and
justice. Our people and our nation have a very clear logic and sense.
If sanctions are imposed on Iran for continuing with its nuclear
program, how will you retaliate?
Friendship with the Iranian people is better than confronting us.
Experience has shown that we have the capability to defend ourselves and
take advantage of any circumstance. The Iranian people are an extremely
intelligent people. They know how make the best opportunities from the
harshest of threats. And make ill wishers regret themselves.
So what will Iran do?
Don't be in a hurry. We believe that the American government cannot do
anything against us.
To read a full transcript of Scott MacLeod's interview with Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad, check Time.com on Monday December 18
http://www.time.com/time/world/printout/0,8816,1570105,00.html
