Ahmadinejad on Iraq, Nukes, and Terrorism

Weymouth, Newsweek:

Iran's new president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is regarded as a hard-liner who is determined to thwart reforms in his country. In an interview with NEWSWEEK's Lally Weymouth, he denied he had any role in the seizing of U.S. hostages in 1979, called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and insisted that Iran does not want to develop nuclear weapons. Excerpts: READ MORE

Weymouth: What kind of relationship would you like Iran to have with the United States?

Ahmadinejad: We would like to have relationships that are equal and just with all countries in the world.

The Bush administration has actually called Iran [part of] the Axis of Evil ... and would like to see some changes.

We would like to see some changes occur in America.

What changes?

For example, [changes in] the approach and the kind of language that the American government uses in its relations with other countries.

Reportedly, unlike your predecessor , you are a conservative who opposes reforms. Is this correct?

Everyone is free to have an opinion. This does mean that an opinion always conforms with reality … Because I am young, I am somebody who is looking for reforms.

It was reported that you might have had some role in taking U.S. hostages in 1979. Did you?

Obviously, no. Even the people who were responsible for that act say I was not there. If you want to understand this event, the right question to ask is not who did it, but why did this occur? This was a natural reaction of the people against the actions of the United States. When a people are oppressed, they will show some kind of reaction.

How can Iran and the U.S. find a common ground on the issue of Iran's developing a nuclear enrichment cycle?

What is important is that both parties respect international law.

How do you dispel the impression that Iran is making a nuclear weapon?

Our religion prohibits us from having nuclear arms. Our religious leader has prohibited it from the point of view of religious law. It's a closed road. We even don't need it; we can guarantee our security in other ways … During the past two years, more then 1,200 inspections have taken place in our country. More than 1,030 documents have been given to the IAEA. All the IAEA cameras are fixed on our facilities, and the IAEA supervisors can control every action within our facilities. We have proven amply that we are conforming to regulations.

You are making a counter offer to the European-3 where Iran will pursue uranium enrichment but assure the international community that it will not divert it for weapons use. But if you have the nuclear know how, isn't this a danger to the West?

Why would the fact that we have know-how constitute a danger for you? Wouldn't it be more rational to worry about those who systematically violate international law?

The U.S. government believes Iran is stirring up violence in Iraq against U.S. and coalition forces. Can you comment on this?

The American government has all sorts of allegations but never shows any documents or proof. If there is insecurity in Iraq, the first ones to suffer from it are the neighboring countries like Iran.

Do you want U.S. troops to pull out of Iraq?

The pretext for the continuation of occupation is lack of security. We would like security to come back to the area as soon as possible. What is important is that the government of Iraq should be chosen by its people, and we hope to expand our economic and cultural relations with them because we are really the ones who suffer most from the insecurity on the other side of the border.

Do you want the U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq?

Yes, certainly. It's obvious that if you intervene in a country that is thousands of miles away, there will be problems.

Many fear if U.S. troops withdraw, there will be civil war.

It can be done either by replacing those troops with U.N. troops or international troops, or there can be a specific timeframe for the withdrawal. I think the American government and the American Army should take upon itself many more responsibilities for the security in Iraq.

Iran put under house arrest two very prominent Al Qaeda members. What is their status?

Al Qaeda is for sure an enemy of Iran. They killed 11 Iranian diplomats. We have always wished to uproot and destroy them.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has a chance to succeed in Gaza if Hamas doesn't undermine him. What is your point of view?

We give our support to the withdrawal of the troops from Gaza and to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Once again, one should go to the root causes... As long as the occupation continues, young people are arrested, houses are destroyed, agricultural land is set on fire, and there is a racist approach, how can you expect a lasting peace to prevail?

The government of Israel recently had an official contact with Pakistan. Would you think of having a member of your government engage in contacts [with Israel]?

No, we do not accept the legitimacy of that regime. Therefore, we do not have any relationships with them. President Musharraf told me yesterday that the contacts that [Pakistan] had do not mean they recognize [Israel]. It was simply a political contact in order to accelerate the bringing about of peace.