Iran's Ahmadinejad: 'Can't we just be friends?'
NEW YORK—A day after slamming the Bush administration for its Middle East policies in an address to the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this morning told a group of international affairs specialists and a handful of journalists that Iran seeks dialogue with the United States on nuclear and other contentious issues.
In what might be construed as a charm offensive–at least an effort to lay out a less confrontational tone before Americans–Ahmadinejad asked, "Can't we just be friends?" He added, "We are in favor of dialogue … but under fair conditions."
The Iranian president called as well for more society-to-society exchanges, including by scientists and policy specialists.
"We are ready for it," he said. At another point, he declared that "America can be a friend of Iran. Why are you an enemy?"
The warmer tone colored most of the approximately two-hour meeting, held at the Barclay Intercontinental Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Ahmadinejad then hosted a meeting for American religious figures from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim groups, and tonight he will meet with policy watchers and former U.S. officials in a meeting organized by the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations. The unusual efforts appear aimed at de-demonizing the hard-line Ahmadinejad's image in the West, and particularly in the United States, which is leading an effort to seek economic sanctions at the U.N. for Iran's defiance of a Security Council order to halt the enrichment of uranium.
Ahmadinejad again used today's session to argue that Iran sought nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes, not for bombs, which he said are forbidden by Islamic teachings. He called the U.S. preoccupation with Iran's nuclear program, which was concealed for 18 years, "a political excuse" to try to deny Iran access to nuclear energy.
"Nuclear weapons are only for killing; it's quite simple," he said.
Dressed in one of his trademark light-gray suits and an open-collared shirt, Ahmadinejad joked and laughed frequently in the session, steeling his gaze on questioners only occasionally. One such moment occurred in response to a question from U.S. News about the Bush administration's purported preference for "regime change" in Tehran as a way to deal with any threat from the Islamic Republic. Ahmadinejad said he had heard of administration interest in regime change "on numerous occasions."
"They're not able to do that," he said sternly. In one of his most critical remarks, he asked, "Why does Mr. Bush think he can sympathize more with the Iranian people" than Iranian leaders do? He suggested that, in its recent programs to promote democracy in Iran, President Bush was getting "bad advice." He predicted that in reaction to U.S. policies in the Mideast, "the first group hurt" is the United States. "People of the region are beginning to hate the American government." Said Ahmadinejad, "This democracy is actually very sublime," citing open criticism of his government in some quarters.
Ahmadinejad, who this spring sent a broad-ranging, 21-page letter to Bush touching on religious and foreign policy themes, said he never received an American response but that his proposals–U.S. officials contend there was little of a specific nature in the missive–remained "on the table." He reiterated his challenge to Bush to a debate at the U.N. The two leaders did not encounter each other during their respective New York meetings.
On Iraq, Ahmadinejad said Iranians were happy that Saddam Hussein had been overthrown but decried the American presence there, asserting that the Americans essentially said "they are here to stay." He also said that Iran and other nations "must help the Iraqi government to establish itself." Pentagon officials have charged that Iran is funding and training violent Shiite militias in Iraq.
Ahmadinejad appeared calm, almost serene, during most of the session, chuckling often at questions and referring several times to his trips into Iran's provinces, where much of his popular support comes from. He listened attentively to questions, stroking his salt-and-pepper beard during one lengthy query, his eyes showing a twinkle of amusement at times. A devout Muslim though not a cleric, Ahmadinejad sprinkled religious references into many of his answers. After the session, he greeted attendees personally and posed for pictures.
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