Fareed Zakaria just interviewed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. They talked about Moammar Gadhafi's death, policy toward Syria, the alleged Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Iran's nuclear ambitions and America's global role. A video of Ahmadinejad discussing whether Iran should be friendly to Israel is above. Other highlights are below. You can catch the full interview this Sunday at 10a.m. and 1p.m. EST on Fareed Zakaria GPS along with more from Fareed's trip to Tehran.
Ahmadinejad reacts to the death of Moammar Gadhafi
"We think it is the will of the people that should work and prevail everywhere - justice, freedom and respect to people. This is the right of all nations. But, of course, we feel very sorry that people are being killed, everybody. I wish everybody would respect justice freedom and there was no need for any conflict or clash."
"In the beginning, we recommended a dialogue between the two sides and all parties, but they did not pay attention to our recommendations. And, of course, NATO intervention was effective in exacerbating the conflict. We have not received any statistics about the losses from both sides and I think instead of intervention, NATO could help to promote a dialogue among all parties."
Interference from the U.S. won't help in Syria
"Justice dictates that nobody should kill the other. Nobody, nobody, nobody has the right to kill others, neither the government nor the opponents. Our recommendation is very clear and it is a recommendation for all, as the last to the United States, instead of capturing or arresting people, they should hear the voice. They should listen to the people and they have things to say. And they should pay attention to the demands and requirements."
"We say that governments must be responsible for the requirements and desires of their own people, the security of the people and their rights. And this is general for Iran, for Libya, for Syria, for Europe, United States, Africa, everywhere. And this is a general rule for all. We have announced that many times."
"And we are going to make greater efforts to encourage both the government of Syria and the other side, all parties, to reach an understanding. But I think and we believe that there should be no interference from outside. The positions of the United States are not going to help. They have never helped. They could do things better in Libya, for example."
"From the very beginning, we’ve said there should be an international team to mediate in order to encourage all parties to reach an understanding. But NATO had ambitions in Libya. They wanted the oil resources in Libya. There was no need to kill so many people. This is the situation in Syria, too. Nobody should send arms. Nobody should interfere and we should all help to create understanding. I think this is the best way."
On the alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S.
"The claims of the United States against our country has been continuing for more than 32 years and they create different problems. We should see what really United States helped and supported the regime of Saddam Hussein. Iran was the first country in the region that created a democracy and our leader, Imam Khomeini, said we want to be friends with all nations of the world with the exception of the Zionist regime. He also ignored the wrong policies of the United States during the regime of the Shah. He said, we want to be friends with all."
"But the United States provoked the regime of Saddam Hussein. After the war, they continued political pressures against us. Then they accused us of violating human rights. And later, they created the nuclear issue and today they create and say such things."
"Do we need really to kill the ambassador of a brotherly country? What is the reason and the interest behind that? We are a civilized nation. We have a strong logic and with this strong logic, we talk to all nations. We never have any intention to hurt Saudi Arabia. Do we really want to do it in the United States? And is that a way really?"
"We are going to create a new discourse, the discourse of justice; the discourse of humanity. And we are going to have this discourse and dialogue between ruling government in the United States. It is not a military confrontation. It is not either a political confrontation. We say, 'President Obama, it is in your best interest to cooperate with the nations and with the countries of the world.' And when I say, 'Mr. President, pull out from Afghanistan,' I’m sincere. Iran and Afghanistan are two brotherly countries. We can never be in conflict. We can never be at war."
On nuclear ambitions
"We have already expressed our views about nuclear bombs. We said those who are seeking to build nuclear bombs or those who stockpile, they are politically and mentally retarded. We think they are stupid because the era of nuclear bombs is over."
"Iran, for example, should continue its efforts and tolerate all international treasures only to build a nuclear bomb or a few nuclear bombs that are useless? They can never be used? And is not capable of confronting with the U.S. nuclear arsenals? The overall budget of our national atomic energy agency is $250 million, and the whole budget is aimed at peaceful activities."
"But the government of the United States only allocated $80 million for rebuilding the nuclear bombs. I think Iranians are clever enough to see that with this limited amount of money, $250 million, we are not able to be at war with the other side."
"I also believe that any military action against Iran is sheer stupidity."
On the U.S. "provoking" regional tension
"I ask a question, 'What are the American bases doing in our region?' Even the current year, they made military contract amounting to $90 billion with the countries of the region."
"If the United States is not going to provoke tension in our region, and if they do not make artificial threats, they would not be able to sell their arms."
"What are arms being used - are they used for friendship? These polices are clear. They should divide, and then, they can prevail. But my recommendation is in the Middle East that they should not be influenced by the pressures of the United Sates."
"And the United States is doing a very ugly thing. They are spending so much money for these military bases. They can spend this money for the American unemployed."
"They have more than 1,000 billions of dollars for military budget. If they spend this money for the American economy, is it necessary for the people to go to Wall Street? Would there remain any difference or hostility? Whenever they resist hostility anywhere in the world, that could be attributed to the United States or to one of its allies."
On the U.S. being "hated around the world"
"The United States has become weaker and weaker. And now, they are hated in the region. They are hated in the whole world. Anywhere in the world, if you go, you see that the U.S. government is hated."
"They should review their policies. They should stop accusing other countries. They should see where the problem is. Maybe the problem is really in the United States itself. This is a friendly recommendation."
"Otherwise, we must be very much happy if their policies fail everywhere in the world. And we should encourage them, 'OK, go on, go on.' And if we were not since, we should encourage the United States to remain in Iraq and in Afghanistan because they have already been mired in those two countries."
"But we sympathize with all people of the world. We say, 'Why Afghans should be killed? Why American soldiers should lose their lives? Why they should spend so much money for killing people instead of using the money for development?' That is very simple. Maybe the U.S. administration does not accept that. But believe me, continuation of these policies are going to lead to the collapse of the U.S. empire. And it is against the interests of the people of the United States."
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fareed, you are interwiewing the wrong despot. he is only a puppet and totally remote controlled by khomeni.
Khomeini is dead. That take a very strong "remote control" from his grave.
For the populace Khameinei is offstandish. Ahmadinejad is more down to earth and populist. He is indeed one of the most notable Machiavellians of our time.
Did any one notes how much Ahmadinejad sounded like Republicans? "Other country's has no respect to USA under this President"- Bachmann. She would use word "hates" but I think, she is holding it to her "grand finally".
This fool said similar things when Bush was in office. Guess he sounded like a Democrat at that time. Get over your the election cycle nonsense and realize it doesnt matter who our President is...this turd is going to continue to spread his lies and hate.
And Bachman will never win the nomination let alone the race for the WH.
Bert: Alina's point addressed the rhetoric being used, rather than the content. Indeed, Ahmadinejad histrionics and over- dramatic hyperbole closely resemble the rhetoric being used by fringe republicans in the US, no matter what the content of his message is.
i find it funny that when ever there is a discussion with or about a tyrant like this man the liberals come crawling out of their holes and start relating them to republicans conservitives ect. they idthat crap in 2008 but now people are catching on. I wonder if Alina 77 is even american. I doubt it.. Go worry about your own piece of manure country! We don't need your advice on our people. This interview with this tyrant is not code for give us your political views on republicans.
nobut you sound like a traito..leave America we do not want you here or need your ugly views.
AWIERDAJAD.....SHUT UP...NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK....YOUR PEOPLE ARE SICK OF YOU...
IRAN PEOPLE WILL TAKE YOU DOWN.
Iran has alrady said it would destroy Israel if it could... enough reason.. to keep nukes pointed at Irans head.. forever....
@joe What did Israel ever do for your unconditional support?
Actually his people love him, because they are not listenning to him through translators have their own agenda; You must be listenning to propaganda news paid for by our 750,000 tax payer money (proposed by Condoleezza Rice). The so called 2009 election riots were our tax money at work. Just dig in the budget papers, you'll find it.
OPEN YOUR EYES GUYS ITS A MASS PSYCHOLOGICAL GAME THE ZIONISTS ARE PLAYING TOO KEEP US IGNORANT TO THE FACT THAT IRAN IS PEACEFUL AND LOVING COUNTRY NOT A COUNTRY THAT WANTS TO WAGE WARS AGAINST OTHERS. THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY WHILE THE ZIONISTS WANTS TO TAKE THE OIL THAT THEY POSSESS.
LEARN PSYCHOLOGY AND SEE HOW YOU ARE BEING BRAINWASHED TO THINK THAT THE IRANIANS ARE EVIL.
SUPPORT THESE FALLACIES AGAINST IRAN, I WILL BET THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE SERVING THE ZIONIST REGIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE
Ahmadinejad is a populist. He got elected on an anti-corruption platform. He walks the walk. The pampered elite in Iran despise him and call him an embarrassment; poorer Iranians love him.
Polls taken before the last election indicate that Ahmadinejad would have won regardless - the fraud was a red herring.
I see Ahmadinejad as Iran's Nixon - someone who uses his conservative credentials to move the country in a liberal direction. For example, he called for women to be allowed to attend football games. He nade a public show of kissing the hand of a woman who was one of his teachers. Ahmadinejad has stood up to the ayatollah on more than one occasion. He defended his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, when Mashaei was accused of being "pro-Israel".
dude you have no idea what you are talking about. this is all a clique trying to cling to power at any cost. populist>??? you have got ot bekidding. Have you not heard about the ceo of a bank fleeing to Canadawith billions of dollars?? right under his nose?? He is no more populist than qadafi was; these are a bunch of jingoistic , schizophrenic fools afraid of their own shadows, plundering the country of its resources. Who is the beneficiary? think for a moment and you will figure it out on your own. A populist does not send a team of 100 people including his family members to New York for a few days he is staying in town, further wasting aa country's assets which could be better spent on more essential things he professes for the down troden masses he claims he is representing. Thi is all a hoax. The system a mafia of gangsters each competing for power; no more no less.
Very well observed. I am an Iranian and I know people from both upper and poor classes. It's exactly like you said. Here is what is interesting: Upper class thinks it is the majority and hence they think there was a fraud in the election. Less than 30% of Iranians live in major cities (Call them the elites). Iranians have to learn everything in the hard way because they lack the ability to think analytically for themselves, they don't reason! They are not good with numbers.
Iranians have a tendency to talk down to Arabs but look at what's happening in world?! Egyptians and Lybians get what they want and where is Iran?! They are still morning the people who died in the riots 3 years agao! PEOPLE!!! It takes lives to reach freedom! Why don't you learn from history?! I feel sorry for my country and for my people and I think they have to suffer from their stupidity. Iran does not need anyone's sympathy what they need is a brain.
I agree with NonZionist ;
Mashai is a modern and couragious manand maybe people like Mashai could change the history of Iran if Usa administration would open its eyes . I also beleive that one day Iran Usa and Israel will create strong friendship together . I very well know that people will laugh on me now,but then I will laugh when my prevision will become a soild reality.Usa and Isreal need Iran and they very well know it and Iran needs them ; the only peoblem is the human component . Arrogance and pride,which avoid these nations to seat around a table and COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY IN CIVIL WAY.
Hello MathDudet. I too would like to see more freedom in Iran - but not at the expense of Iranian lives.
If people are not willing to LIVE for freedom and WORK for freedom, then dying for freedom will not help. The deaths and the martyrs will simply create resentment, fear, bitterness, retrenchment and deeper oppression.
Freedom is a living thing, not a dead thing. It grows inside the human mind and heart. It's not something that comes out of the barrel of a gun. The greater the violence, the greater the tyranny. Growing things need peace and stability. Freedom grows as people exercise their rights and "push the envelope".
I have faith in technology, faith in change, faith in communication. I believe that evolution is inevitable. The riots, the protests, and the wars simply slow down this inevitable process. If you want freedom, talk to your neighbor, convince him that freedom is not a threat. When enough neighbors change, the government will change too. This horizontal grass-roots method is far more effective than vertical confrontation.
It was a delight to read your comments for being just and informative and not being bias as many are
The problem before and after the revolution in Iran is and has been the lack of rule of law which I believe is and has been the core of social corruption
That individuals, persons and government shall submit to, obey and be regulated by law, and not arbitrary action by an individual or a group of individuals.
In the most basic sense, the rule of law is a system that attempts to protect the rights of citizens from arbitrary and abusive use of government power
The rule of law is a legal maxim that states no person is immune to law, and no one can be punished by the government except for a breach of the law
khomeini is dead stupid
we should listen both sides, check the statistical result and then give the opinion .
To be frank Ahmadinejad says all that which every muslim should say but unfortunately he is the only one who had this courage, at present.'His views about america are positive therefore the US should observe themselves deeply before letting the situation go worst'.
In fact never before has US have such good tacticians. Skilled and human. But never before not even in the eve of WWII have your strategic perceptions been so hazy and blurred. You have now neutralized a plot from Islamic Republic of Iran and you are dealing with that in UN.But Islamic Republic uses stealth technology on strategic levels. It has been a dream for strategist to make their entire force invisible especially when they are inferior in fire power. Shiite has always been inferior in fire power as minority and the whole school of Shiite is about strategic deception. The elements of that are humbleness, patience and the believe that destiny has vested in them to bring US down.
if you ain't militant, you ain't Shiite!
Khamenei you mean.
In Iraq they made US kill Arab nationalism and give Iraq in a silver plate to Islam. In Libya Khamneei took five thousand SAM 7 missiles under NATO watch, Just like a scavanger. It is for the first time in the history US pays enemies bills. Hitler with all his wit never dreamed of it but US is financing Iraqi regime which is the arm of trained elite Islamic officers like Nouri Maleki coming right out of the oven of Ghods forces. It is like putting SS officers in charge of France by General Patten in 1946. The plot you neutralized was a conventional one in the battery of tools for a non conventional war they are running against you.
I don't say that President Ahmadinejad says wrong things,but he forgets to talk or at least to mention the many negative and unfair situations in that region ;for example why Christians can't walk normally and without any chador or hijab in iran ? , why Saudi Arabia does not let Christians to build a church in makkah for example?,why the muslims who want to become Christians should be killed or put in preason?,why a Christian iranian can't become more than a colonel in his own native country's army ?.Should I continue ? , no , I think that the main problem is not Ahmadinejad , the problem is human being weakness toward MONEY and POWER .I know people even in Cnn who were nice and humble and now that they have becomeSenior Vice President you can't any more even talk to them , because they are SO BUSY !!(But the truth is that you're not Ted Turner!!).This is the problem;when a human being reaches the power , everything changes and there is arrogance there.We need to be a bit more humble and a bit less monet hungry and slaves.Look at people with big smiles when the wife of Qatar's emir sheikha Muzah talks !! , she is another dictator of the gulf region but the whole world is so nice to her!!, because she is SO RICH!!.Common , let's admit it , money is what we all want and we feel attracted so much to the people who already have a lot of it and many of us would do ANYTHING even CRIMINAL ACTIONS or LACK OF JUSTICE or GENOCIDE just to become rich and powerful.We SIMPLY are not still ready for a fair world.
Interesting my Rabbis Iranian have stated that the President of Iran never said he was going to blow up Israel. If one person can prove he said that please support that viedo for review.
They said president of Iran never said that the Holocaust never happen he said the number is questioned because many who were in the camps were not Jewish they were as well Muslim in the camps Gypsy others unwanted.
Review your videos with a truthful UN-Zionist propagandist misinformation. Many speaking Farsi have review all statements you can not support that with proof.
The days of stupidity using Americans as tax slave donkeys is over. Supporting our taxes the USA first middle and last is not a sin or crime any longer.
Zionist have destroyed many of Nations over 100 years including Israel and the United States Human Rights position and economy.
Zionist have highjacked the Jewish religion put us at risk again like they did in Europe in 1930 to end of WW2 and now again.
Zionist are majority CONVERTS yes CONVERTS I know as I worked for Rabbis and have seen how they CONVERT for fake reasons then destroy Judaism.
His message is intended for the American people. He feels that most of us are stupid and are not keeping up with the history of his comments and actions. This man disputes realities that we can all view as empirical evidence. He is a liar, con-man, and a proven kidnapper. Yet some of our citizens want to make a insincere effort to know the subject and sound of with soundbites they do not even know are true. It's sad. many people are stunned that Germany allowed Hitler to rise to power and act out his ambitions. That an entire nation could follow him into the abyss. Yet look at our own population. Our future has been reduced to team sports(parties) which each team obviously educated themselves at their favorite news source regardless of obvious bias. It's shameful. We are that stupid.
Fareed, you have just become a puppet of this idiot.
Why is this guy even talked about on CNN? Right on the front page! Nobody needs to "interview" him – because we already know his BS, and CNN is doing the world wrong by even covering him in the slightest way.
Roger, We been same human being as god created, We never listen mosses, Never listen Jessus when they are around but did listen them later. as american, we need to be better listener. i am not suporting anyone here but i like to listen other people before judge. thanks.
Agree! I can't understand how Fareed gives this deceitful person an opportunity to sit there and tell more lies. He is still a snake in a button down shirt. Dangerous.
Do your own self a favor Judith & co, listine to others even if you ve chosen to hate them! It appears u are very scared this guy is making sense. I trust Fareed would ve done his best to misrepresent this guy or present him the way you would want him to. The fact that his views on USA standing in the world, stupidity of developing nuclear weapons etc still came across very clear and believable is a credit to him. I am sorry
This is an opportunity for us Americans to leave the comic-book worldview behind and develop an adult approach to the world - one that involves dialogue, compromise, mediation, reform, patience, perspective, faith in our principles, trade, cultural exchange.
First u should learn manners then give ur opinions'.
silverhair first u should learn manners then give ur opinions'.
Zakaria needs to find a job away from CNN.
Zakaria has a full time job outside CNN.
lol.
Fareed Zakaria is doing great!
He's on CNN because the elites that govern America have decided that we Americans should be given a chance to put down the Fox Nooze comic-book and develop a more adult understanding of the world.
It's sad that many of my compatriots would rather keep themselves in the dark, flailing at windmills and imaginary Threats and Ogres. So many lives lost, so many billions wasted, all because we Americans do not have the courage to confront the lies and move beyond the fairy-tales of childhood.
+( It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear. )+ - General Douglas MacArthur
Like writer for Time magazine?
Someday soon the people of Iran will rise up against the regime for freedom and justice. When it's all over, Khomeni and Ahmadinejad will suffer the same fate as Saddam and Gadhafi.
You R wrong, 1) he is normal president not a leader, 2) he is right, not us
You need to get your head on straight.
lol do you know how many sanctions his country is under?? and yet his country is surviving, did you know the entire world basically had a war against him and iran survived?? did you know these things?? and yet you say the people of iran are going to rise against him?? for what?? because our government says it right? lol
R u Iranian? Do u have family in Iran? Are you aware of whats been going on there? Rise in depression, drug use, suicide all due to oppression. Do u not recall the green movement. they would love to overthrow them but they cannot. They dont have weapons, if they march peacefully, they are arrested or come up missing or are beaten. They have tried to counter the government, remember "where is my vote?" For those who complain about life in democratic countries ebven with this economy, count your blessings and try to improve it yourselves. At least you have a voice and youre not threatened with EVIN prison for writing or speaking against the government. There would be millions on these blogs being arrested for complaining if you were in Iran. We need to be more thankful and be more creative ourselves without our government...Americans when down rise up stronger and better. Alot of the rich out there could be innovative and create jobs. The government needs to bring incentives for companies to come back and we want to see things "MADE IN AMERICA" again!
Maryam – no we don't know. And we don't know how lucky we are. This man is scary. Keep telling us the truth instead of letting this snake have a platform to spout his lies.
I hate to prove you wrong on the contrary about 80% are supportive of the ahmadis
How do you compare apresident who will leave office in a year an a half to Hilter? This shows that you are a typical interest group paid to smear truth
Sadam and Gadafi were puppets of USA; when they served a purpose, they were allies;Oil export was not interrupted; when they no longer served a purpose, just like our ally in egypt, became dictators and had to leave one way or another. So how can a nation independent of USA be compared to a bunch of thugs who were nothing but servants. The reason Iran is under political attack is because it is not a puppet and US wants her back. Most folks commenting here have no idea what they are talking about? First educate yourself, stop listenning tothe mass media controlled by interest groups; then comment!
Anybody who stands up to 1 bully is brave. standing up to bunch of bullies is suicidal, but it deserves a Nobel! Good on u Iran. I also learnt that Iran as a country has never attacked another country? I have lost counts of how many countries we and our "allies" ve attacked based on criminal lies. Why is it a crime for Iran to say they are against Zionists? Arent we rightly against Naxists? communist? islamists? etc. Let admit it, our psyche is so twisted that we are thought to be scared of anybody who is not in our pocket!
i'm pretty sure my education stans on its own. What makes you an expert?
Finally a smart person! Bravo Wildone
It is "attack the messenger day" day at CNN reader commentary.
Exactly! Why do (some) people equate 'facilitating delivery of the news' with 'pandering to the enemy? Don't they realize that this interview is a perfect opportunity to see what a lunatic Ahmadinejad is? For the world to know what he's up to?
Look through his words and watch his body language. He is shaking his head during most of the interview. He is lying.
Ref. TED talks how to spot a lier.
@Ruhi, I think problem in the world today is not cause by Iran than western countries! how many ppl can you count on earth that had been murder by Iranian Govt? But if you look the US govt, and others countries, the figure can go to millions of lives have vanished on earth because of US govt!! Please, US Govt, the know how to built a problem from nowhere! to sell arms, that all! US govt invided many countries in the world, did Iran did that? what country can mentioned that, Iran had invaded! please, dont make aliving on blood of others children! cause problem on them and kill them! Dont provoke ppl havent done any wrong to the world!!
Sorry, it's hard to hear criticism and recommendations to listen to the will of the people from a leader who is essentially a puppet of a religious government, and where an entire half of the country (i.e., all women in Iraq) have no voice or true freedom whatsoever.
Sorry–I meant to say that all women in IRAN are denied a voice or any true freedom whatsoever.
Iran is not Iraq . get it right
Why did he not ask about the human rights violations against the Baha'is of Iran??? The Baha'is are the largest religious minority of Iran and are denied higher education and the right to make a living – how can this be ignored???
Rosanna, You don't know anything about bahai's. i am bahai and you are most stupid person ever born in human history.
rosanna's point exactly about high education. sounds like an intelligent response from a bahai.
Bahai and Christian alike are harrassed in Iran. Many Bahai have been killed. A Christian man is on trial currently in Iran because they say he left Islam when in fact he was never Muslim.This is the truth. They are more oppressed than the already oppressed Muslims in Iran.
Ironically the Bahai world center is in Israel!
The only true democracy in the middle east. Imagine that, Persians finding peace, prosperity and safety in Israel!
I wonder how many Jews could find that in ANY ARAB or Muslim country today. No wonder a Jewish life is worth 1027 Muslim lives!!!
Is that all you have to say KKK? If that's it – maybe you should get an education and be somebody.
It is more likely that you are not a Baha'i and you formulated a rude response to make the Baha'is look bad. Caught you
USA is over.
Nope pretty sure I'm in America living a great life....I do not see America going away. People think America is going away because of our economy...we will bounce back like we always do
"largest religious minority"?
Need to be calm all guys here . Americ should think about their policy , will USA retain its empire position or collapsed . Unfortunately , world History tells us , Super power could not comprehend that it is collapseing itself . We now are seeing it at USA .
You're so full of B.S. your eyes are brown.
Racist piece of garbage. ^
"Are you talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to ME???" (Brad76) What the hell does "race" have to do with shiblee's idiotic comments or my response to them??
so u cant see anythin because ur eyes are brown is not racist?! well ma friend, if that's nt racist, i dont know what is?!?! God help u..
I think he was referring to that poop is brown, so if he is full of poop(BS), then his eyes are brown, because he has so much brown poop in him : ) Just to clarify
Your eyes would be brown too if they were full of crap. I'm pretty sure that's what Wildone means. No racial context here. Move along.
My eyes are brown too, does it mean I'm full of poop too? Farid's eyes too. And so many other people. That wasn't a nice thing to say buddy.
Then you obviously dont know American history very well. We have overcome many things. Can you say the same thing?
My comment was for shiblee but it didnt go beneath his/her name...
thank God another American with a brain amongst all thee other morons. thanks Maryam..
yes, blameing America for everything is surely the answer to the world's problems. Wrong answer! When the world is in trouble they call america for help. then get jealous and start bad mouthing america because it's what they can never be,=Great.
Why?? because are economy is bad?? If you think america will crumble because of money then your are a true idiot.. you need to read a history book about america before putting your crap on the web
Ahmadinejad, a statesman, a giant on the word stage, a man of peace, and full-time international clown. Fareed did his usual great job of giving him plenty of rope to hang himself. Iran's hypocrisy is astounding.
Ditto your comment on Fareed!
I think it is great that we are doing a full cover interview on this guy. We are not doing him a service. We are doing the world a service, showing the hypocrisy and lies in all hi says. What do I take of this interview? The regime of Iran can't and should not be trusted. I think Fahreed did an outstanding job letting the guy hang himself in the world stage.
Ahmadinejad will end up the same way as all the other Middle east A_____Hole dictators, SOON!!! He better start looking for a drainage ditch.
if the people of Iran had the pleasure and freedom to speak freely, I would like to hear what they think of their miserable existence under their current government. But for hope, misery cannot last forever. And yes, freedom has its price – and we wish them God-speed.
I think He has given some good advice to USA . USA policy maker needs to comprehend about it . Otherwise there is little time remains . Complete annihilation will be result . People around this world know about American double standard , people dont belief USA government . People in this world are much away ever before . How many times USA media can keep its people from knowing truth ?
Shiblee,
You are correct. The words Ahm mouthed are 100% correct and if they came from anyone else when would be received. America has a failed foreign policy because its centered around Israel not America.
Yes, isn't it a disgrace how Israel "the tail" wags America "the dog". Disgusting. Obama and Clinton no better than Bush and Rice. Zionist ass-kissers. Why is not Israel, who is above all law and human decency, forced to get back into Israel where if belongs and out of Palestine. The Palestinians should have built a wall in '67 to keep the monsters in. The world is sick to death of Israel every day in the news, who gives a dam about this little puss-filled pimple on the earth?
Do not talk about America like you know it, when you are obviously not American. Worry about your own sewer you call a country.
Oh yes, everyone hates America. But they love it when we send billions of dollars in relief money to feed them. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Your "aid money" goes to the military of whatever country it goes to, so shut up.
@boss...I hate it when people speak without revealing the entire story and tell pieces of it...usa gives a lot to the poor countries(thats the point), including palestine...they give medical help, they give assistance during disasters including the earthquake in BAM, IRAN( I was there).So they even help those who would hurt them if they could. Pakistan earthquake and floods, US was there.Their doctors do free services and surgeries for people, their people give money to help the poor, they give clothing and food and offer their time in building them homes, schools and churches(yes even in non oil rich countries!)..americans r not perfect but neither are others.But we are one of the biggest if not the biggest contributors t charities and do alot of charity work in the world because we DO CARE, sorry if you cant believe it. Most iranians know this and love America. They are alot like Americans. YOU dont know Americans
Oh my sister, shut up please. I read a couple of your comments and they are all BS. You are talking out of your a**. Why the heck people of Iran and the ME should love America? Why you think everybody in Iran grown up in drugs, opium, and suicide as you did? You are extending your personal experiences to all Iranians and it does not make it right. I am sure are from one of the families who escaped from Iran either after rubbing a huge money from banks or terrorizing dozens of those 16,000 innocent in the streets. As an Iranian who has most of his families in Iran, I should say that despite having too many problems and some corruptions, Ahmadinejad is doing a great job; believe it or not. You americans should know that Iranians don't' like american policies in ME, even if they send a thousands dolls to the kids after an earthquake. What they have done to us in last 60 years is unforgettable.
I meant robbing.
Agree with Hamid
maryam i agree with Hamid. Iran is not perfect but look around you and how Obama capitulated to Israel and embaressed himself and Americans by pandering to israeli demand about not going back to 67 borders. It was cringe worthy watching the leader of so called strongest nation being compromised and embaressed on live TV. what is about the usa that when it comes to israel loses its dignity and pride and self respect. Iran is strong and has a government that is doing its best facing harshest adversaries. yes their human right record is not perfect but remember guantanemo, Iraq prizons , renditions etc..
Again, Bravo maryam
maryam do not listen to that idiot Hamid. He will be history that nobody will care to remember. Let him hate the rest of his life and he will be living in hell forver.
I know Persian and listened to the clip. "Translation ERROR".
His words are that NATO intervation, of course "Intensified" (or elevated) the situation.
People have to understand that Ghadaffi was considered neither a friend nor a foe by Iran. The Iranian Shia government disliked Gaddafi regime for its involvement in 1978 disappearance of Imam Mousa Sadr, a prominent Iranian-Lebanese spiritual Shia leader in Lybia. Ghadaffi never traveled to Iran, even for the meeting of Islamic Cooperation in 1997. However the two countries exchanged weapons or related technologies during and after the Iran-Iraq war.
I think it is great that we are doing a full cover interview on this guy. We are not doing him a service. We are doing the world a service, showing the hypocrisy and lies in all hi says. What do I take of this interview? The regime of Iran can't and should not be trusted. I think Fahreed did an outstanding job letting the guy hang himself in the world stage.
If you take your head straight you will see that you are the one who will hang himself very soon.
Spoken like a true thug, Hamid. FYI, Andres was speaking figuratively! Learn English if you want to comment on an English site. Don't think that people aren't noticing your name and dismissing your hateful comments outright. Think you're representing for your peeps?
My English has good enough to make you bark like a dog here. I should say that I can do this in 6 different languages; something that you can never think about that.I am so proud to be supportive of my elected president without hiding my name and do whatever I can to help my people despite interests of some psychopaths.
I felt Ahmadinejad had some very legitimate comments about our country. Why are we spending Billions of our dollars on Military conflicts when our country is bankrupt? We should not be fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan nor any other region of the world. I thought Ahmadinejad was a crazy man but this interview made a lot of sense. Wake up people we need to have a political cleansing and change our priorities as a nation to survive.
William you also are 100% correct. The strange thing is this.. most Americans feel this way but why do most American think this guy is mad?! For a country of such loving and sincere people most of us are politically stupid. When I bring up the topic of Iran to my friends, its amazing how many kind, loving, Christian people want to kill so many Iranians! I blame the media and government policy makers.. our foreign plociy is centered around Israel and not the best interest of Americans. And Ahmad is 100% correct in his assessment.
Chris
you need to learn some facts about this wacko...he is sick man.. you need to see a doctor for a reallity check...not to late
Excellent post, Chris D.. Many Americans who call themselves Christians actually put their faith in the god of war.
The U.S. has been making war for so long that people have lost the ability to imagine anything else. War is all there is, and since war needs an Enemy, it is easy for the government to demonize the countries it targets. Russia, Vietnam, Cuba, China, Nicaragua, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Iran - for gullible Americans, all of these countries have become Demons. What insanity! It's so sad.
Was given the impression that this guy is mad, terrible, but seeing this interview, and pondering over and over on the things said, this guy may be right after all! The truth does hurts and I'm more ashamed of the US government than I've ever been. Recommend US government stop acting like a macho cowboy and start looking at itself in the mirror cause the whole world is laughing at Americans now.
He knows how to talk the talk but not walk the walk. He calls for respect for all but he doesn't follow through. A sociopath knows what to say to seem acceptable and he has it in spades.
I guess too many country hillbilly songs about red, white, blue piece of cloth mix with butt wiper beer, made most of you all blind and being afraid of what this man says.That is really shame how your zionist media has formed and shaped your views and mostly ignorant.Iranian can discern and they do not hate you for your govenment wrong doing.
Well said william
And your next!!!!
The only way you can win at Western Politics is to beat them at their own game using sound reasoning, immaculate rhetoric, and global media. If you can't at least hook the fish, you have no chance of reeling them in. When someone from the middle east or elsewhere can reach this level of achievement, people will listen, respect it, and understand. And once you have their attention, then you can apply the more subtle tactics of propaganda and sensationalism.
These guys make it too easy to punch holes through their statements which automatically gives way to skepticism and overall rejection.
Too bad for Ahmadinejad.
Ahmadinejad sounds a lot like Buchmenn .
Every one in media notes , were Obama didn't have to deal with Republicans, he is doing supper well, and where are the "home made terrorists" Republicans abstracting everything beginning from jobs to economy he looks like "no choice man". VERY SAD that anti American Republicans are so successful in bringing this country down. THOUGH it will back fire in the end, but who know Americans can "reward" them for this as well, American known to be "American".
Here from a guy whose special forces plotted the death of a Saudi ambassador in America. What a joker. Always trying to deflect attention away from his own dictatorship and theocracy.
You expect us to BELIEVE this laughable assassination conspiracy theory?!
Where is your EVIDENCE?
It looks like your lead suspect, Shakuri, is actually a member of M.e.K., an ANTI-Iranian terrorist group that is trying to give the U.S. a pretext for attacking Iran.
And don't believe for a minute USA propaganda that Israel is a democracy. It is a racist apartheid state.
Believe you over the USA Bruce, who are you exactly? What are your diplomatic credentials?
This interview should give Americans hope that a diplomatic solution can be reached between us and Iran. Sadly most of us will ignore it or just hear what we want to hear, and sooner or later war will be inevitable.
Why do we have so many millitary bass in the region? why are we allowed to build bases in other countries? we wouldnt allow them to build anything on our land. we need to wake up and stop this insanity. we need to start spending money to help our own people in our own country.
I have traveled to about 20 foreign countries. People are generally the same most everywhere. they work hard, try to support their families, and could care less about their countries politics. Some people don't like what our government does but none of them I have met actually hate the american people. They see the government, correctly, as separate completely from the actual people of america. When the government finally quits "speaking with a forked tongue" as our indians used to say – only then will our government get respect from other countries.
I think these people are biased or not sincere with the innocent people of America.
hes next.....
... on Israel's hit-list.
You know Ahmadinejad a systematic laier.
He claims Iran is the most free country in the world. Why are there so many journalist in jail?
One person's decision rules the country.
So many political prisoner for months and months with being charged.
And I'm sure that every US president and presidential candidate has said that the US is the "most free country in the world" as well. Why, then, do we have more of our citizens in jail than in any other country in the world? By your logic, are we less free than Iran?
Not even close to a reasonable analogy and even Sarah Palin wouldn't try to claim what you have. Journalists are jailed in Iran when they attempt to report the flagrant denial of human rights which occurs regularly or anything which would cast the theocracy in questionable light. They accused of being spies, etc.
dont think u have more in jails than iran , and what do u want criminals to do , be allowed to walk around and do more harm? u have alot of problems with some of your immigrants dont u, both legal and illegal?drug use in iran u r hanged...the same with many other crimes, saves jail space eh? they still fill em up...usually with people who protest the government peacefully.
I think sam is iranian as am i...iran is not a free and democratic society...if you speak against the gov, you come up missing....try posting anything negative on iranian press news, they dont print it. at least u have a voice in usa and u can complain..u dont know oppression until youve been there.u should feel blessed and count your blessings, you all ave it better than u know and u have the opportunity to change things, iranians dont.they willnever be strong enough to have their own spring, the military will take care of them, and yes the iranians got caught helping syria to beat down its people just like iran did.
I think the issue is partially about defamation, respectivly about laws regarding defamation.
Anyhow, do you think that judiciary in Iran needs to be (more) independent, or is it too independent (as in out of touch with reality) ?
And, i.e. on most CNN discussions, censorship is eventually 'enforced' by readers (or such) clicking report-abuse-button. Personally, I (would) enjoy dialogue (respectivly inquiry before judgement is passed), though such should certainly be mature, and not stupid (i.e. becoming a target for persons with eventual inferiority complex).
I doubt you are Iranian. if you were Iranian you knew that Ahamdinejad has tried his best to serve his nation and he says what he really believes in. He is not in charge of what you say the people who are in jails or freedom of speech, you can every day see more than just critisizing him and his gov. actually insulting in different newspapers and websites some of them are even related to the regime itself. the one you can never never insult him is supreme leader not the president and his cabinet members.
If Iran is serious about being a leader of justice, peace and respect in the region, start by recognizing the state of Israel and establishing mutual cooperation. Talk is cheap, but acting like a real leader in the region, requires modeling of what is meant by justice, peace and respect – and it will shift all of the dymics in the region positively and towards more harmony.
Tell israel to stop illegally building houses and kicking out the natives of the land and maybe he will talk to them. Just a thought..
It is exact justice not to recognize Israel as a country. The real justice is to send all europeans and russians back to their home from occupied lands then let all palestinian jews, christians, and muslims decide on their own.
Well dont like this guys but there is something that he said that was true, USA has spend so much money in the milittary over there when the economy over here its in a big hole, instead of investing those billions of dollar over here, american are dying over there. i think its just stupid
Why is 'NEEDADINNERJACKET' even getting the time of day on CNN????? WHY? Why on earth is Mr Zakaria letting have a forum to spew all his crapola????? Meanwhile they hang gays/lash people who critisize.....horrible horrible regime....UGH...what a place! I feel for the Iranian people!
Ahmadinejad voices some legitimate concerns about the failings of the US and all people can do is gravel their teeth at the man? Of course he is far from being the perfect man that should be critiquing how a country is run, but does that mean everything that comes out of his mouth lies? Of course not. The sad thing is that a lot of people reject the notion that the US is failing in any sort of way because their blind egotism and patriotism shields them from the truth. Keep telling yourself that you're the best and you're bound to lose friendships and make enemies out of your sheer recklessness.
That's right.
I dont think the majority of the Americans think this way. They are too busy working and raising families. Most do not think they are "better" and most do care about others. Most people dont have time to post here, so plz dont generalize
This guy has mellowed out a bit and I think we should at least listen to what he has to say. If he has truly renounced nuclear weapons then we have nothing to fear from them at this time. So why not take the time to try and understand where Iran is coming from? I'm not saying we should envelop them in a blanket of trust. But to regard them as a mortal enemy is just as foolish. Send Hillary over there, let them have brunch together, and see what happens ...
But keep Bill at home. The last thing we need is for him to hit on Ahmadinejad's wife while they're there ...
I do not think anyone in the world takes seriously the words of Ahmadinejad. The guy's a phony. He sermons everybody on the virtue of liberty but look at what he does tho his own people. This guy is absolutely not credible. He warns other countries not to get involved in Syria while his Quds Forces are fighting alonside Bashar Al Assad and committing and there crimes against the Syrian people.
Such is to be expected with someone like you with your obvious limitations, Jerrymiah. That's something an ignorant Tea Partier would say!
Daniel, but he is correct.......
no he is not wrong, maryam is that brownies you ate or... sychophant
She is a member of MKO who is running a night club or car dealership in US
you are so naive. see what saudi arabia do in Bahrain? How come no one complained? same in Gaza and saudi arabia get your facts right. lets have some nutrality.
you cannot hide the truth dear Maryam by commenting everywhere to show your hate against Ahmadinejad. at the end of the day truth is winner.
Great interview. he is right. I hope US government policies toward nations really changes and we can see the world in peace.
I'm very aggravated at all these nitwits posting in here to bash Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and what he said to Fareed Zakaria. I find Ahmedinejad to be far more credible than the warmongering, right-wing thugs in Washington by a mile!!!
It's clear that you are his target audience – ie. the ignorant. You might want to educate yourself on what goes on within Iran and how it's people live day-to-day. You can start with the recent demonstrations which occurred after the "elections" in June 2009.
lmaoooo the ignorant? my friend how are we living in the US?? ppl are starting small demonstration within our own country, he is governing his country, why do we have to get involved??? did any1 get involved when our own country killed the natives of this land?? IGNORANCE?? call him w.e u want but u got some learning to do as well. btw why isn't the demonstration at WALL STREET not getting as much attention as the middle east got??
Scott, I'm an Iranian and I'm living in Iran. Don't misrepresent us, please.
If anybody wants some insight on Iranian public's opinion, I advise them to consult Western-conducted opinion polls. Look up these:
"Iranian Public Is Not Monolithic: Iranians Divide Over Their Government But Unite on Forgoing Nuclear Weapons"
"Analysis of Multiple Polls Finds Little Evidence Iranian Public Sees Government as Illegitimate"
"Iran, Lebanon, Israelis and Palestinians: New IPI Opinion Polls"
There are many other Western-conducted opinion polls with similar results (just google it). The 2009 election's result was most probably genuine; see the Wikipedia page on it for more info. Mousavi's supporters were naturally unhappy because they lost the election, and Iranian security got surprised which resulted in its knee-jerk reaction. The post-election protests were not entirely peaceful. I live in Tehran and I saw the horrible chaos.
Sure, there are many people, particularly in big cities like Tehran, in the academia, among the rich, etc. who oppose the Islamic Republic system. But they are far from being the majority. Iranians are a divided nation, so please don't take sides in our domestic affairs. Even most of the Green movement partisans won't welcome it.
Scotty boy,
Guess Mohammad showed you eh? Next time think before you label others as ignorant.
I think that you are brain washed by the propaganda machine here in America. Mind your own affair's and use all that energy to help repair the mayor disaster that we have right here.
EZ you are not originally American..the wall street protests are getting lots of press.
Show me one channel that covers it more than they covered the revolution in libya, and egypt...
wat is your definition of an original american?.
Because you know more about what is going on in YOUR country. Iranian gov does things BEHIND the scenes. He knows how to manipulate you and he is getting better at it every time. He has learned the American way and how to reach you and he is coached.
"Iranian gov does things BEHIND the scenes."
And you are the one who has knowledge of this? You must be part of the Iranian gov for knowing their secret.
Oh yea and the American gov and all governments in general are so transparent that it makes the Iranian government one of a kind.
Cool occisil !! You pinpoint accuracy!
No, she is the one who writes scripts for MKO
Honestly this man is hated just because he speaks the truth about our government but he's on point with everything he says, i read a comment saying we shouldn't trust IRAN...why shouldn't we trust them?? just because u watch the news?? because they were alleged to kill an ambassador?? honestly i live in the US and i love it to death, i was raised here and i don't even trust our government....its funny because this free nation has a past full off betrayal and unfair justice and i feel as if the US is looking for an excuse to do harm in iran like they have with many other countries... and the media makes ahmadinejad look even worse...i respect the man and i support not ALL but most of his points on our country.
If you knew Iranian you would know this is NOT a free country , Iran. Our own people have been lied to, and we never believe what we are told. Do you get imprisoned for speaking your mind about the government? Do you get punished for showing your hair sometimes? If you are gay you will be hanged. I can say much more, but you get the point.
Do you know how many ppl are imprisoned in the USA? More than any other country! Perhaps they do it to make a free country!
lmao i don't know any iranians but i can tell you that my government lies to me all the god dam time just like every government in the world lol....and honestly now a days if u have an opinion about US government all of a sudden the first amendment doesn't even exist lol... Im just ganna stop here. lol
Mohammad my fellow countrymate, maybe ffor you and the people profitting from this corrupt clique, the system is not all that bad, but are you denying problems we are facing?? You love A.N. go ahead vote for him, but do not make yourself representative of the rest of the society. Is there a scientific statistic pointing to a majority of people supporting the current clique innpower?? on what basis are you talking? The fellow escaping to Canada with billions of stolen money, where did he come from? Planet Mars? The country is supporting him really? who? the Kurds in Western part of iRan? Bahais in prison? half the population who have to frocefully dress up in a government sanctioned islamic garb? economy? rapant inflation? 30 percent living below the poverty line? dried up lakes and rivers everywhere? stop your lies and bring them to naive crowds who might hear you out. We do not need foreign intervention, but neither do we need aapologists for the bankrupt ideology whose time has past for a while now.
Dear mehradad (or perhaps mehrdad I guess?)
I do not love Ahmadinejad, nor did I vote for him. In fact, I don't consider him a good president. But I have friends who voted for him, as well as friends who voted for Mousavi (and others). I can't ignore them, or simply discredit them by calling them "making profits from the regime". They were sincere voters who believed that Ahmadinejad was a better choice than others. I do not either think that my friends who voted for Mousavi or even participated in protests to be "stooges of the West" as some IR supporters would call them.
What I call for, is to accept that Iranians are not monolithic, and to rely on reliable third-party data when talking about "Iranians' opinions". Of course, I'm not representative of Iranians' opinions, and neither are you. This is because Iranians have a wide range of opinions and cannot be characterized by single voice. Who's the majority? Well let's see what scientifically-conducted opinion polls by Western organizations say, not to rely on some partisan source with agendas.
Of course life is not perfectly rosy in Iran, as it is not so elsewhere. We have economic problems like persistent inflation and unemployment, but we also have had much success curbing poverty, improving health care and general welfare. Again, I'm basing this not on one-sided sources like the Iranian government or its opposition, but on World Bank data and work of serious economists like Djavad Salehi Esfahani. UNDP has ranked Iran 70th at its 2010 Human Development Index, which is better than Brazil and Turkey. Its data also shows Iran's faster-than-average growth in the index since 1990. Yet, we have a lot more way to go, and Iranian economy has been in a near-recession state since 2008. Let's not picture everything as black and white.
Excellent answer, Mohammad!
When people see the world "in black and white", it's an indication that they are not seeing the world at all. Their bottomless hatred and lust for war has been manufactured by a system of propaganda. They have learned to project their own demons onto other countries. They take what is worst in themselves and magnify it to the level of an absolute. This, then, becomes their conception of "Iran" or "Iraq" or "Yugoslavia" or "Nicaragua" or whatever country happens to be the target of the month.
Like you, I invite people to outgrow this Manichaean comic-book worldview. Leave the world of childhood behind. Realize that there is more to life than making war. Learn to see colors, complexities. Learn how to dialogue, how to compromise, how to trade, how to negotiate. People should not be in such a rush to inflict death and destruction on others!
Excellent! The problem with most of participants here is that they have very little or no information about Iran.
-They talk about corruption in the political circles in Iran, but they ignore that the corruption is a thousands time worse in the US.
-They talk about worsening Iranian economy, but they forget to look at where the US is
-They mention poverty in Iran, but they don't talk about growing poverty in the US and the gap separating rich and poor which btw is greater in the US.
-They Talk about lake of democracy and the control of religious people over power, but they close their eyes on their country being an oligarchy.
And the worst of all is that they just keep playing the same broken disk of how iranians are evil and how great Americans are.
Let see what are you gonna say in response 'scientifically'! Please do not list some illegitimate accusations!
Yes!! I agree with Mehrdad completely. Iran has gone done in past 32 years because of the government run down ideology.
They help Hezbollah more than their own citizens. My concern is did Farid traveled to Iran to get AN advice on how US should run its course or he is there to find out why people of a great nation is living under such a deminizing status?
Are you talking about the same great people of Iran that the US enslaved by overthrowing their elected prime minister and installing their Dictator? The Iranian people are great when blood sucker americans need them and they are insects when they don't.
The great people Iran will not get fooled by your dirty tricks.
agree with mehrdad
See who is talking based on evidence and scientifically and then agree with whomever you like! I must say Mohammad is right.
Just a correction:
On the video of "On nuclear ambitions" the interpreter translates "the united states allocated 80 million dollars for rebuilding their nuclear bomb manufacturers." while Ahmadinejad says "The US govement allocated 80 billion dollars for rebuilding their manufacturers of nuclear bombs".
Thanks Mahan, that's right. It was not correctly translated in this part!
And of course CNN will take what is more advantageous for the interest of the American Oligarchy, instead of telling the truth.
Totally agree.
Overall the translation was weak and unhelpful overall. I think it frequently changed the tenor of the discourse.
CNN should have better coverage here.
"Nobody, nobody, nobody has the right to kill others, neither the government nor the opponents".... Oh yes and the Iranian goverment is ofc NOT a nobody since they are allowed to execute their own people.
oh oh since Gaddafi is dead lets call Ahmadinejad MAD DOG cuz he surely is a nutcase.
Ahmadinejad, don't try to be a clover too much because you are stupid enough. you want the U.S to withdraw from Iraq so you can have the rest of the cake in Iraq?? is this your next step??
He did not put the US in this sewage, don't forget that. As a matter of fact, it was Bush! Also he was asked for his idea on the topic that P. Obama call for the full withdrawal plan from Iraq! If it was a piece a cake, Obama would like more to stay there! OK buddy, think before open the mouth!
@sonya....BUT Iraq would have been much more successful and would be less time there if Iran gov had minded its own business and quit trying to pit shia against sunni, we all know this happened. US could have left, but with Irans well played hand, Iran caused a civil war between these. Also the Bathist were fighting against the incursion. Iraqi mass graves were found from Saddam and his sons, killing their own people. Iraqi Americans were complaining a long time.Saddam was shooting at American planes for years but NATO did nothing. He also wanted to attack Kuwait again, maybe Iran. So Iran benefits from this event.Maybe US could have been out of Iraq in less than 1 year had it not been for all these insurgents trying to make everyone think it was a war against Muslims or an occupation. Saddam himself , a long with intelligence from sources in other countries also said he had weapons of mass destruction. Saddam told that-why? Because he was fearing a confrontation with who? IRAN. So there, Iran is in the middle of it. Now they interfere in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Palestine..while Iraq, Afghan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanese,and even Syrian springs have all told Iran to quit interfering. Dont forget the Baloch, the Kurds and others and Iran fighting over land, fighting with Arab over whether its Persian Gulf or Arabian Gulf..fighting over islands and water ways...fighting with other religion especially Bahai....even issues with Turks over land...Saudia, and arabs in general...he speaks of peace but Iran gov and military is sneakiest aggressors of the world....playing their hand in secrecy making others do their bad bidding for them so that they appear innocent. I think Ahmedinejad isnt as threatening as religious leaders thats for sure, or the revolutionary guards who work with supreme leader over the Iranian president. Hope to see all countries be free and have a voice, God willing.
You make no sense. Seriously!
Oh yeah it would be a great country even better than the USA with gloriousness and prosperity and freedom. George Bush wanted all of these good things for such a country because he was a kind of gracious, sympathetic man who was just looking for freedom in this country.
You really make no sense...
lmaoooooooo to maryam......
Maryam
"Iran government minded its own business?" Let's see, Iran should not mind what is being done to its neighbor, so we can do whatever we want, and we don't even belong to that region.
So, I attack your next door neighbor and do whatever I want, and I should expect that Maryam will not be calling the cops. Thank you!!
It is like north and south California
There are villages on the border which with in 5 meters of a walnut tree in a farm in Iran lays another walnut tree belonging to an Iraqi citizen
The ruins of Madaen in the capital of Persian empire Tisfoon is next to Bagdad which incidentally is a Persian word indicating their unity and relation through out the history of the land
We cannot separate them and replace their family members with our solders!
The Muslim conquest of Persia led to the end of the Sassanid Empire in 644, the fall of Sassanid dynasty in 651 and the eventual decline of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia. Arabs first entered Sassanid territory in 633, when General Khalid ibn Walid invaded what is now Iraq
Iran is a very very dangerous player and aided by Russia and China a source of great instability in the region.
Iran has huge ambitions, a repeat of what once was the Persian Empire. The pan-shia movementis an extremist movement, which has been trying to grab power from the sunnis particularly the arabs for millenia. They have no morals except core shia values, and will happily switch partners when convenient. A pre-eminent Iranian state will try to influence politics from maghreeb to the old soviet islamnic republics in the west. The only hope is a pro democracy movement that topples both the secular and clerical powers that be. Ahmedinajad is a hypocrite and a liar and all this is nothing but posturing.
A pro-democracy movement? Since most voters are Shiite, wouldn't this ALSO become a pan-Shia movement?
EVERY country has ambitions. EVERY country seeks to influence its neighborhood. So, by your standard, we should fear every country then. But you have no problem with the U.S. and Israel dominating the world!
As a Farsi speaking person I should like to express dissatisfaction with the poor simultaneous translation ; a lot of what Ahmadinejad said was not translated at all; also where he says the us is only spending some 80 BILLION dollars for enhancing its nuclear weaponry the translation is 80 MILLION. I think the best suggestion would be to re-translate the whole interview with accuracy. Thank you.
Pres Ahmahnedijad was and is never in charge. Its the Revolutionary Guards generals who are running the show. His hands are tied.
Absolutely TRUE
You guys are all confused. One day it's the supreme leader who's in charge, the other day you all insult and curse Ahamdinjad for everything and anything in Iran, and now it's the revolutionary guards generals.
This shows how ignorant you all are about iranian politics. The iranian political system has several checks and balances. No decision is taken by only one person or one organization. The influence of military industrial complex is miles far from what we can see in the US.
My dear fellow American, most of us do not like him (Ahmadinejad) but nothing wrong to listen what he wants to say. Let us empty our heart and think what are the points are raised by him? Are there any valid points or all are wrong. Because of our foreign policy set by our leaders, we do not like to listen from any one any more. We think we are right on every aspect as our leaders make us believe but in today's world are we the Mr. right?
Now this is the time we should think from our own mind not using our leaders mind!
Very well said
Totally agreed with Paula. Others shunned him. You, Fareed, rushed in like a fool and give him a forum to spew his rhetoric and all those craps. It makes me cringe. Wake up Fareed, wake up. As if you are not aware what he's going to say to your questions. You really boggles me.
+( Iran is ready to help creation of dialogue atmosphere between governments and nations. )+ - Ahmadinejad
+( The era of military force is over, today is the era of nations, logic and worshippers of God. )+ - Ahmadinejad
Iran hasn't attacked anyone in 300 years. To those who profit from war and live by "Might Makes Right", the behavior of Iran's government must indeed seem insane. To people addicted to war, ignorance and hatred, Ahmadinejad's calls for peace and dialogue must seem mad.
We are unable to imagine a country that is not Just Like Us.
We love nukes, so Iran must love nukes too. Iran's call for a nuclear-FREE zone in the region makes no sense to us.
We want war, so Iran wants war too. We want to play God and wipe whole countries off the face of the map, so Iran must want the same. Nothing else is Thinkable.
We seem to be at war with our own demons and delusions - bombing non-existent "Iraqi WMDs", attacking imaginary "Iranian Nukes". Unfortunately, real countries and real people keep getting in our cross-fire.
Well, there's some rhetoric from Ahmedinejad that I completely agree with: nuclear bombs are for idiots. +10 respect points.
Hello, good people of earth . . . Have you all perchance noticed the thermonuclear explosions occurring on Vega every second, and the rather large cavities on Alderbran – when that gas ball explodes.. well, i'm wondering if any of you kind and gentle people have seen my mom and dad's spaceship? Please let me know. Thank you.
Well said Ahmadinejad if you really mean it.
It's getting more and more clear that Ahmadinejad is not the real person who rules Iran; he was used by Khamenei to knock down Rafsanjani and reformists (the same way Khomeini used different groups in the beginning of the regime). So had better talk to Khamenei who is ruling the country. With all respect Fareed.
Here's the problem. US is making enemies around the world! Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria,Pakistan, Afghanistan. What do all this countries have in common? Oil. US invades countries for oil and their natural resources. If you ask me, I'd say US is the real terrorist, threatening world peace. There are always conflict everywhere around the world. You don't go and attack other nations with excuses to liberate their countries. There are always better solution for conflict, get both sides to sit down and talk! have a peaceful dialogue! Listen and see from others' perspective.
History has proved that US is a big bully, attack weaker countries.
Afghanistan has oil where?Not one of these countries you named doesn't have blood on it's hands.Let's see Iraq attacked Kuwait (more than once) Saudi Arabia and Iran.Iran attacked Iraq and a US embassy .Syria attacked Israel,Pakistan and India's battles are legendary. Libya attacked Scotland and Chad.Afghanistan can only be termed as a nation in geographic terms and has been at war for 40 years.(Albeit to stop invasions and inter tribal strife and the Russians, US and the Northern Alliance).The US went into Iraq to liberate it is indeed ridiculous(I didn't vote for the president that initiated this).I am also not happy that the US is the arm merchant of the world.We don't live in a perfect world and dialogue rarely works in a conflict when one of the parties involved has a huge military advantage over the other..Remember this, there are some Americans that don't agree with these unilateral military incursions .We're not all cowboys looking for blood.
Not cowboys looking for blood, but looking for OIL !!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/oil-field-discovered-in-afghanistan-2053829.html
1.8 billion barrels of oil in Afghanistan. That's the fact, you can't deny it.
So you agree US invasion to Iraq is wrong. So how do we bring justice to all those innocent civilians in Iraq that were killed because of US invasion. Should US be punished for the crime just like how US punished Libya? Should other nations step forward to invade US and right the wrong??
Your government excuses to attack other countries are just insane. NO country is right to invade or liberate other country! Question you need to ask yourself is why does the muslim world only attack US? They did it out of revenge! If US didn't provoke them and attack them, what is there to revenge for? What do they get out of attacking US anyway? The US citizens have been brainwashed to think otherwise.
US tried to become the big brother. But the way I see it now, US has become the big bully. A bully that cares only about himself and his own greedy will to power. A bully that taunts and threatens. A bully that holds others in contempt. A bully that disregards not only the wishes of those around him, but also the rules that may his restrain his power. A bully that takes what is not his. A bully that will not stop until people rise up and put an end to him.
And by the way it's easy to predict which countries are next on the hitlist.
Just look at the top list of countries by oil reserves:
1. Saudi Arabia 264 billions bbl (work in progress)
2. Canada 175 billions bbl (has been exporting 80% of the oil to US, too risky)
3. Iran 137 billions bbl (very close to invading them)
4. Iraq 115 billions bbl (DONE)
5. Kuwait 104 billions bbl (work in progress)
6. UAE 97 billions bbl (work in progress, need a bit more excuse to attack them)
7. Venezuela 97 billions bbl (has been exporting more than 50% oil to the US, they can wait )
8. Russia 74 billions bbl (too big, too risky, only bully the weak ones)
9. Libya 47 billions bbl (DONE)
10. Afghanistan 1.8 billions bbl (DONE), main intention to get oil pipeline from Azerbaijan (14 billions bbl)
The translator is not Persian and I wander why?
There are so many Persians who could have done a much better job the this interpreter who changes the meaning of the sentences so dramatically
American fools, listen to the man, there is truth to what he says.
The scary thng would be if you actually believed your own comments. Ask any Iranian living outside Iran what they think about Ahmadinejad.
Iran president's statement is right. But his statement becomes wrong because he is a leader in a country whose laws are barbaric towards its own people. How can a samaritan listen to the good words of satan?
I was given the impression that this guy is mad, terrible, but seeing this interview, and pondering over and over on the things said, this guy may be right after all! The truth does hurts and I'm more ashamed of the US government than I've ever been. Recommend US government stop acting like a macho cowboy and start looking at itself in the mirror cause the whole world is laughing at us now.
No right translation for the number in the following sentence: "But the government of the United States only allocated $80 million for rebuilding the nuclear bombs". He indicated $80 billion, not $80 milion.
The whole world is an arena for "the survival of fittest," with the powerful preserving their own interests. If you're still stuck on the mindset that one nation is right and the other is wrong, that "us vs. them" mentality, then you are a puppet for the interests of men who could not care less for you. And if you know this and do not like the top-down structure of power and influence in our world, then practice dialogue, understanding, and tolerance (especially for those weaker than you) in your own communities and relationships. Set an example for the next generation that will inherit the earth. Because the politicians and elites are certainly not going to.
I don't doubt Ahmadinejad when he says he does not want nuclear weapons – but that's not the whole story.
The problem is that he is not in control of the Revolutionary Guard and probably other organisations that may want nuclear weapons.
He's on his way out. He tried to be above Khamenei and it didn't work.
I personally believe Iran is strong enough to handle its peoples ambitions.Irans existance should on its peoples hand.outside interfearence should not be solved its internal problemes.the emperialistic trios along with EU.should mind there own bussiness in their countries without robbing countries.I think it is a time for china to play major role in international politics rather than US and Briton.
that's right, George, let's get a country with such a horrible human rights record, involved in other countries' human rights element. Pls stop using high performance cigarettes! Cheese and peas, man!!!!
Poor human rights? Getting involved in others affairs? are you talking about the US?
while i may not subscribe to all what Ahmadinejad said, to say that he speaks nonsense is dishonesty and shortsightedness at its peak. I think the world and more especially Americans have to start putting on lenses of objectivity in judging people who don't like America. The declining power of America is not by accident, neither is it ill-luck. If many things do not change about America, the........................................only God knows
For once..this tyrant has told the truth. whether we like it or not...the US foreign policy is a problem. Ahmadinejad is completely right about America. Why spend so much on wars that you have no business in? Why is the US first to talk about peace when it has continued its policy of economic embargos against cuba and other countries? why does America believe that maintaining military bases close to percieved enemies would replace the good old diplomacy? America has focused on wars and left investment in of its infrastructure and that of emerging markets to China. Keep fighting wars and placing embargos while China emerges...keep borrowing from China to build military bases and bombs while you lose out on emerging markets...keep increasing your public debt and issuing credit cards to people who want to live above thier means. I love America but the your leaders have deviated from the philosophy of your founding father! Lets not let America collapse...lets come out and take over wall street before wall street takes over us. Wall street has already taken over the US government.
Why you dont put whole interview in your website ? Is it possible that you set only those parts that you like and ignore rest of interview???You are really funny. I am Iranian and i saw whole interview and i know you ignore many important parts of this interview!!!!!!!!
With this cut and paste interview, obviously they want to mislead us and change the whole concepts!
They did
The translation is awful and lots of big mistakes are here . I thing CNN organization has enough budget to hire some more experienced translators. I am sure and i see that they change the meaning of Ahmadinejad's statements deiberately and intetionally .And is this called "democracy" in your country?????
They use these opportunities to brainwash further more their sheep about iran, Iranians and their leaders. But they only fool themselves. The world is moving on and west's propaganda channels are lagging behind.
The little guy is a puppet for the religious extremists that rule this great country with a young population that has no idea
of its country's past . But thanks to the most advanced weapon ever developed (cell phone/internet ) the people are leaving the dark ages and their rulers as a thing of the past The world will welcome the new government of Iran when the People
ELECT a legitimate president
The first sentence of your post can be applied almost 1:1 to the President of the United States, only that it's "puppet for the religious extremists and arms lobby that rule this great country". And your second sentence makes two words come to mind: Occupy Wallstreet
I agree!
Continu living in the buble that was build for you in the West, in which iranians don't know anything about their history and their leaders, and you the redneck american know more about how they should live their lives.
Amadinejad knows he may be next.
Since 2002, at least, Israel has been ordering the U.S. to attack Iran.
/ / / +( ISRAEL'S Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called on the international community to target Iran as soon as the imminent conflict with Iraq is complete. )+ - "Attack Iran the day Iraq war ends, demands Israel", Stephen Farrell, Robert Thomson and Danielle Haas, London Sunday Times, 05 Nov 2002
He has no worries as he was voted in the office and he is clean with no AIPAC money!
should ask him about what Ayatollah has said about abolishing the iranian presidency.. is he for or against it?
Ahmadinejad finally will abolish Khamenei as khamenei is completely stupid and fool .But it takes time and we should wait for it .That all depends on new election in Iran and before election and maybe after election we will see final struggle between khamenei and ahmadinejad . Ahmadinejad knows that he has no army power and he is trying to ruin and abolish khamenei without violence and covertly . You should know this that Ahmadinejad is not accountable for all crimes in Iran and he is totally innocent for that .In my idea he only is trying to get as much as money in order to be equipped against khamenei in Parliament election.
Let's review the presidential voting process in Iran: you have to be approved by the council of ayatollahs, as a friendly person, to be on the ballot. Once you're on the ballot, if you start barking up the wrong tree, you'll find yourself under permanent house arrest, and magically your votes turn into your opponent's votes! So, for all who say this idiot, Ahmaghinejad won the popular vote, review the process. The change that we (Iranians and all ethno-Iranians around the world) need in Iran is 1)FREE elections (no vetting, no nothing), and 2)separation of mosque and politics/state. Unlike the US who has been heading that way for the past 12 years (preaching about a presidential candidate in church), Iran's, for the most part, has been like that since at least 1980. I don't want that crap, and many other Iranians don't want that crap either. Let's hold a TOTAL and systemic referendum NOW! This idiot and the rest of IRI pupet-masters are running scared based on what they've seen take place throughout the Middle East. Pls let them know that they are not part of Eliot Ness' gang...they ARE touchables! Reach out and touch Khamenei's, Rafsanjani's, Amhadinejad's, et al's place of residence, or office, by a nice, and big F117 and let them know we care.
The voting process in Iran can't be worse than the voting process in America, where oligarchs pick and chose who's going to run. So I highly recommend you focus on the regime of the country where you live first.
Let's review the presidential voting process in US, shall we .AIPAC and other zionist religous sects ie: baptist selection commitee support few candidates for both parties and let them fight against each other at the end whoever wins serve the same master.
I have been in Iran 3 times in the last 18 months. Zakaria made an excellent job in depicting what IRAN is today, i.e. NOT the country America think it is. It is made of calm, educated, intelligent people. Most of the people I have met really do not like Ahmadinejad, and can't wait to see a democratic change in the country. But ALL of them agree on the stupidity of sanctions. I am totally amazed at the fact that Americans have not learnt the lesson of Cuba: 50+ years of sanctions have only reinforced the power of Fidel Castro. In Burma, the junta is stronger than ever. Sanctions only reinforce the people at power. Lybia was under sanctions for many yers, and fell only few years after the sanctions were removed. And finally, one last item: China is not following the sanctions, which means that the same are therefore totally ineffective. of course, the USA cannot say anything to China, while it screams and yells to any American or European company who would want to have with Iran the same business that Chinese companies are now performing. This bipolar behavior of the USA shows 1. that it is now the property of China and 2. that it uses a much stronger tone with friends than with (supposed) enemies. The santions ultimately only hurt the States.
Are you done? We all done here because everything you said cannot be further from the truth. I go to Iran every year for three months and what I see does not coincide with what you say. The people there are frustrated with Akmed, especially the young. Iran will go through a revolution, hopefully non-violent, just as the rest of the Arab world has begun to do.
For argument sake, let's say Iran will go through another revolution. Do you think they will forget about the CIA overthrowing their elected government and installing a dictator to drain their oil? You live in the Lala Land.
Iran is a predominantly Persian. There are many minority ethnicities in Iran including Arabs, Turks, Kurds, etc...
It would be incorrect to characterize Iran as an Arab country.
sanctioning Iran hurts US economy as well as Iranian. Iran Public aviation is in dire as their boeing 747 passenger planes are dangerous to fly. with population growth Iran needs new planes to replace these old ones with avg. price tag of half a billion, it would help the US economy . US inhumane actions are mainly towards Iranian people.
Withdrawal from Iraq is welcome even if against the will of US govt. For training of Iraqi soldiers, I feel that US govt should offer free training to them in groups by inviting them to US. It will give military leadership to stay here and get a feel of free world. Their perspective will change in the process.
"millon vs billion" "Tolerate all international treasures" What kind of Engrish translation is this.?
If Ahmadinejad really thinks that the era of nuclear power is over with oil quickly running out, and that nuclear weapons are useless, when they are the ultimate deterrent to an attack, then he's even more of a fool than the western media make him out to be.
Iran is developing various forms of alternative energy: nuclear, wind, solar.
Iran is not North Korea. Imagine how easy it would be to demonize Iran, if Iran really did have nukes. Given the bottomless paranoia inculcated in us by Israel and the war system, we would have an arms race with no limits. Iran prefers to rely on an asymmetric defense strategy. It is trying to avert war, not fan the flames.
For nukes to be a deterrence, one has to be willing to use them. I.e., one has to be willing to kill millions of people and jeopardize the entire human race. Iranians are not sociopaths. Iranians have principles. Where our rulers put their faith in death and destruction, Iranians seem to rely on the power of ideas.
Why did CNN interview this guy? Who the heck cares what Akmed has to say. Interviewing Akemd is like buying a box of store brand chocolates;you never know what you're going to get but you do know that it will be crap.
As an Indian, I would like to offer a different perspective.
Firstly, I can't understand why many here are blaming Zakaria for his interview with Ahmadinejad. Of course Zakaria has to appear neutral and maybe even borderline sympathetic. Do you think Ahmadinejad will accept to do an interview with Zakaria otherwise? Ahmadinejad is known to be elusive and we should be glad that we got some words straight out of the horse's mouth.
Secondly as one can make out from the interview, Ahmadinejad does not come across as a very intelligent person. He seems to suffer from the typical Middle Eastern ability to make a train of logical arguments only to be let down by a single illogical and implausible claim. Nevertheless, we should accept that he was democratically elected by Iranians who probably suffer from a lack of choice.. However Ahmadinejad is not representative of the majority of the Iranians who are liberal and progressive. If you look at the people of the entire Middle East, you will find that Iran with its Shia population for much of its history had a much more modern civilization compared to the rest who until recently lived in caves and tents.
Thirdly, the US narrative in the region so far has been driven solely by the Israelis and Saudis. The Iranians created and fund the Hezbollah against Israel and the Saudis and Iran have been at loggerheads for centuries. The Saudis wanted the US to destroy Iran to bite the head of the snake as they called it. It is unlikely that the US will want to be seen talking to Iran even if they do.
Fourthly, Ahamdinejad's belligerent behavior seems to be similar to a child crying for attention. If Iran does not have any nuclear weaponization ambitions, why doesn't it allow the IAEA to inspect all they want? However it is understandable that Iran is nervous with the US flanking it on two sides in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both countries have a Shia majority population and there can be no doubt that Iran has the ability to influence outcomes in both countries.
The fifth point is that decades of sanctions against Iran have achieved little. It is not just China who has been buying Iranian oil, India buys most of its oil from Iran too. So the government has been getting money for itself whereas the Iranian people go backwards with each passing year.
It is time the US had something similar to South Korea's Sunshine Policy towards Iran. Eventually that will open the eyes of Iranians to the rest of the world and bring about change in Iran.
You are making lots of assumptions without any fact or sources. You say "However Ahmadinejad is not representative of the majority of the Iranians who are liberal and progressive. ". Really? How you know this? You looked at your plate of chicken curry and found out Iranians are liberal?
"Iranians who probably suffer from a lack of choice."
Do Americans enjoy a better list of option? Should I remind you that in the US they only can pick between 2 candidates? These candidates get the approval of oligarchs in charge of the system before being nominated.
"Ahamdinejad's belligerent behavior"
What belligerent behavior? Did he ever threaten anyone with "all options are on the table"? Maybe for a colonized whitewashed like you defending the interest of his country is equivalent of being belligerent, but for Iranians Ahmadinjad is a hero.
Whatever you do, leave the chicken curry out of it. I am vegetarian (No, not really).
Obviously you are an Ahmadinejad supporter and want to show that everyone in Iran thinks like him.
So you mean to say that most Iranians are like Ahmadinejad? That is not true at all. I will however quantify my earlier statement in which I missed to mention that most Iranians are liberal and progressive COMPARED to the majority of the Middle East. If the Ayatollahs didn't run the show, girls would be running around in jeans.
In the context of this article, what does it matter whether America has a better option for choosing candidates? So tell me, who exactly are the oligarchs that you claim selected Obama? I also hope you are aware of the primaries, like the ones Republicans are having right now.
This brings me back to what I mentioned earlier. A train of logical arguments let down by a single implausible claim.
Belligerent behavior like Ahmadinejad wanting to wipe Israel off the map, etc. is protecting the interest of your country? Then you just don't understand that how many times Ahmadinejad has taken Iran to the brink.
Yes I agree with you, Ahmadinejad says a lot of things and says that he is putting all options on the table, but as I mentioned earlier the US seems to be in no mood to talk to him. Obviously he is not messaging the US correctly.
Hello Paul. There is no way to "message the U.S. correctly", since the only message the U.S. wants to hear is total subservience to Israel.
Ahmadinejad never called for Iran to "wipe Israel off the map". He said that the Zionist regime, like the Soviet regime and the Saddam regime, would eventually be history. The Farsi words for "map" and "wipe" were nowhere in the speech.
@Paul
You should seriously considering quitting your chicken curry predictions. I have never said Iranians were like Ahmadinjad. I base my arguments on facts and science. An overwhelming majority of iranians in age of voting, voted for Ahamdinjad. You can take this to the bank.
Everything else you claim about Iranians running around in jeans (as if jeans were not allowed in Iran right now, shows your ignorance) if Ayatollahs were not there etc are just hot air. There is no fact or statistical study backing up anything you just said. Anyone can sit in front of a computer and make up scenarios that will suit their mood of the day. But it wont make them true.
You my friend lived under the domination of the brits for far too long and think the only right way is the white way. You forgot how great your own country and culture once was, and how friendly Indians and persians were are are.
@Paul
Here is a short list of people who really control american politics. People who are owners of the media, military industrial complex, pharmaceutical industry and financial industry.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/sep2004/forb-s27.shtml
@paul or Raaaj, "democratic process presidential election in US" you must be naive to think that Obama is not George soros contrivance and it cost george one billion to get him elected
Paul
I love curry.
While I agree with the general sentiment of your comments (which are conciliatory), but there are just facts that are missing from your comments:
The nuclear issue-Iran did stop its program for two years and implemented the "additional protocol" without approval of Iran's parliament. The IAEA went everywhere without giving Iran any advance notice, and they found nothing. At the end of that 2 year period the Europeans walked out of the Paris Accord. Google it. The question Fareed and others don't bring up is "why should Iran do the same thing twice, when Iran was proven to have had no weapon program the first time and the Europeans reneged on their promises?" At the end of that two year period Bush said he wanted regime change. It was Iran's former President, a reformist, who ordered the nuclear program to be reinitiated, not Ahmadinejad.
Why is Ahmadinejad beligerent? On his last speech to the UN he went over the 400 year history of wester domination which is marked by racism, colonialism and slavery. That is an accepted fact even by today's history books. Then he went on to say that era is over, now we should enter an era of cooperation and love. He pointed out that the general assembly should be empowered instead of the security council. Said the problems are that the world needs to be more inclusive. what was wrong with that?
He colored his speech with Mahdi and other Shia beliefs. If he had mentioned Jesus, no one would have any problems with it.
I think the criticism that you have colonialized mind is correct. You should examine that.
Don't trust him, This guy just says what the people want to hear, look at him saying how people shouldn't be killed, while people in iran are being executed and innocent people imprisoned. NATO WON in lybia, without NATO lybia would still be under the rule of the dictator Gadhafi , Ahmejinedad is just saying 'don't interfere' because he's scared that he will be next.
And yes, you will be next. .. .
When you interfere in other countries, your military power overrides the will of the people. What happens to the people who don't like your involvement? You kill them or you force them to submit. So YOU become the dictator.
Iran does not have overwhelming military force. Where YOU can simply dictate to other countries, Iran has to appeal to hearts and minds. Iran's call for a mediated resolution is appealing, because it minimizes the loss of life and maintains the independence of the country you would dominate.
Iran's judicial system is a disgrace. I see that Ahmadinejad effectively disowned it. However, some of the "Innocent Pople" imprisoned in Iran are guilty of trying to overthrow the government. Which means that they are somewhat more guilty than the innocent people who were held for years without trial at Gitmo.
Nukes are and will always remain super effective. The only reason Ahmadinejad says they're not is because his country is too stupid to build what the US and Russia were able to do in the 40s.
The people over here in Pashtoon dominant areas of the Af-Pak region blame that Iran is in fact a sleeping partner and Pakistan is apparent partner of US. They believe that without Iran's help US would never stayed so long in Afghanistan.
+(
Throughout its history, Iran has always been a peaceful country. We have not attacked anybody. Everything we are doing is aimed at defending the country. We think that the age of nuclear weapons is over. If they were useful, the United States would not have the troubles it currently has and the Soviet Union would not have disappeared. The Zionists have atomic bombs, but they are failing against HAMAS. We not only think that the age of nuclear weapons is over, but we are also not interested in building them, because we consider that they are against human rights and dignity. Our security doctrine is a defensive doctrine.
)+
– Ahmadinejad
Nuclear weapons are not weapons at all. To be a weapon, a device has to be usable, and to use a nuke, even in retaliation, one would have to be a sociopath. Iran's rulers are not mad. They have principles. A regime that claims to have a religious mandate has to show at least a minimal reverence for human life.
Imagine how easy it would be to demonize Iran if Iran did have nukes! This demonization process leads to a bottomless arms race, since people are essentially scared out of their minds. The result could only be catastrophic, both for Iran and for the U.S.. Iran is trying to avert war, not fan the flames. It prefers an asymmetric defense strategy.
Excellent post, NonZionist!
It was the American strategies to demonize the countries they are willing to attack to get support from public like many countries the previous governments attacked by the same leverages and accusations. Just by recalling the cold war with Russia, the USS Maddox Navy incident in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam, Operation Northwood for Cuba, Intervention in Nicaragua for "the benefits of this country!", Yugoslavia, Looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Afghanistan. And Iran has been always accused for all kind of criminal behaviors such as axis of evil, support of terrorist, interference in Iraq and Afghanistan, enriching uranium to make nukes...
BTW, U.S. backing of the coup in Chile.The CIA actively supported the military junta after the overthrow of Allende, and that it made many of Pinochet's officers into paid contacts of the CIA or U.S. military.
I am afraid Ahmadinejad is right but he himself is killing his own people. Maybe Fareed should have asked why there are so many killings by his own government/
Well, the world is filled with 2 types of people, those who believe in causes and those who are trying to make a living (and if possible a bit else), Ahmadinejad sounds like being part of the later, which I think at least ensures us he will not step too much over the line, I mean, he knows what to say, he seems bright enough to not to be excessively hard with his own people, and he will not tray to mess around too much to justify USA to launch a "freedom operation" over their territories, not that USA should with their current situation.
Why does CNN give this tyrant a platform to criticize the free world as he justifies his own deplorable regime? Or did I miss Fareed's interview with members of Iran's growing yet heavily repressed opposition movement?
Why didn’t you directly ask Ahmadinejad about the lack of freedom in Iran
He brought it up – that people should be “free”
Fareed, you do yourselves and everyone no good giving a spotlight to this freakazoid. Iran's nuke program needs to be taken down now!
Obama...you wanna be great? leaving iran to nukes will be your legacy and to your shame. YOU OWN IT!
What was the point of this interview? To hear the same official denials in person? I hate this kind of vacant, grandstanding journalism which never gets at the truth but always manages to prop up the preening star with the predictable role of 'rational' interrogator to no substantive end. I'd rather see Zakaria interview the crews aboard Ohio Class submarines who will have the last word in any dispute with Iran.
Farid,
Your pathetic interview portrays the devil as mother Teresa. There is zero tolerance in today's world for another Hitler calling for the anihalation of other folks and nations. You have not questioned once, nor have you quoted any of the devil's hateful threats to destroy Israel. Your "journalism" is yellow and biased, therefore it smells.
Fareed, a good interview in which you raised many of the questions that should have asked of this dangerous messianist. But I thought that his outrageous comments on Israel and Zionism could have been probed and challenged much further. If he and his regime are really civilized and in sympathy with ordinary people, how come Iran and its proxies have murdered Jews all over the world, from Israel to Argentina? His is a bloodstained regime that regularly visits the depths of depravity. I think you should have pressed him on this aspect of the Iranian regime much more – his conspiracy theories about "international Zionism" were on display is his responses, but this oxygen of reality is to be welcomed, but he was allowed to squirm out of further light being shed on his "theories".
maybe because israel does similar actions around the world and both countries have their legitimate interests.
you can argue that iran is a state sponsor of terrorism but then again, isn't israel too?
and you're the warmonger who is saying nobody should talk to him
Congratulations to CNN and Fareed Zakaria for securing this interview and for the short report about Iran that followed. A very important opportunity to discuss the issues with Iran's president. If there's a follow up it might be worthwhile to pose the seven questions that the IAEA says Iran has so far refused to answer.
Once again, it lists the seven main questions, or “areas of concern,” that are still outstanding.
1.) Neutron generator and associated diagnostics: experiments involving the explosive compression of uranium deuteride to produce a short burst of neutrons.
2.) Uranium conversion and metallurgy: producing uranium metal from fluoride compounds and its manufacture into components relevant to a nuclear device.
3.) High explosives manufacture and testing: developing, manufacturing and testing of explosive components suitable for the initiation of high explosives in a converging spherical geometry.
4.) Exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonator studies, particularly involving applications necessitating high simultaneity: possible nuclear significance of the use of EBW detonators.
5.) Multipoint explosive initiation and hemispherical detonation studies involving highly instrumented experiments: integrating EBW detonators in the development of a system to initiate hemispherical high explosive charges and conducting full scale experiments, work which may have benefited from the assistance of foreign expertise.
6.) High voltage firing equipment and instrumentation for explosives testing over long distances and possibly underground: conducting tests to confirm that high voltage firing equipment is suitable for the reliable firing of EBW detonators over long distances.
7.) Missile re-entry vehicle redesign activities for a new payload assessed as being nuclear in nature: conducting design work and modeling studies involving the removal of the conventional high explosive payload from the warhead of the Shahab-3 missile and replacing it with a spherical nuclear payload.
The IAEA concluded that the unanswered questions and Iran’s refusal to cooperate fully with IAEA inspectors trying to determine if any nuclear material has been diverted for military purposes makes it impossible for the agency to certify the “peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
Iran’s unwillingness to come clean insures that the efforts to stop Iran’s Bomb, will continue.
Why would you interview a Terrorist, a thug a criminal;? Why would you give this man who is responsible for killing thousand, destruction of an entire country a voice?
What makes me mad is when people like Farid, Christian or Charles interview the Thugs of Islamic fascist but they can't ask the right questions. Their questions have been perhaps censored by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard ministry of culture. So what kind of Journalism is that when you stumble upon questions such as human rights. Why would you let him even compare the Islamic fascist justice systems to that of USA.
Overall Thumbs DOWN...thumbs down to anyone who interviews these criminals..if you don't have the balls to ask the questions don't interview them.
you have a voice and you are able to say what you think, i believe Ahmadinejad should be heard out as well. it is very ignorant to say no one should listen to him, or are you afraid he makes some points and don't want anyone to hear it?
What a nice interview by the "excellent" Fareed! Always sharp, always to the point... He traveled that long distance to make such an interview that will cartainly be remembered 100 years later.
I especially liked the question about Iran training Iraq's army... Very good Fareed, very good indeed.
I mean why not?
Why not let Iran go there and continue the rest of the job for US?
That's the right thing to do isn't it?
US didn't quite finish their job of making a new Iraq a genuine coca-cola democracy but they run short of money and decided to go out. Just a few details left and 500.000-1.000.000 people dead. No big deal...
Fareed all you need to do now is to make an interview with the brilliant G.W. Bush and ask him why he invaded Iraq in 2003. Maybe Bush would be the one to ask Iran to train Iraq's army.
I love to see days coming and Iran and us be good friend and will see russin and china be fired as this . Gad belss us and Iran with out ahmadnjad and khamaniy .
You forgot to mention "gad bless" us without the current regime and the financial oligarchy.
His words contradict what's happening in Iran so much that I really wonder what's going on behind the scenes in Iran, like who's pulling whose strings, who's playing tricks on whom etc. Or it's all just in his head, which would put him on par with those Israelis who don't understand why the (western) world is not unanimously on their side because their image of themselves is distorted by decades of self-righteous introspection.
He’s such a Pretty Little Liar, isn’t he? Ahmadinejad is quite clearly pandering to the American public. I don’t trust one word that comes out of this man’s mouth.
I don't think your opinion really matters to Iranians.
If Ahmadinejad really believed people should be free, he would have released the 7 imprisoned Baha’i NSA members by now and cease the persecution of Iranian Baha'is!
This was probably one of the most pathetic interview by Fareed. That is not Fareed we have seen on CNN cornering politicians. Fareed you could have just sent him your question in writing and get an answer in the mail. You did not need to waste CNN money to go to Tehran and give this biggest liar on earth more media coverage to his nonsense talking.
Very wise man, something about this gentelman, who tells the right.
Disgusted not by Ahmadinejad's answere, but by your interview, Fareed Zakaria! You've gone all the way to Tehran to see this blood-thirsty man, but haven't asked anything about all the people he and his leader have killed, tortured, and imprisoned? It's absolutely shameful.
instead of insulting the president of Iran you can say your opinion about his points of view. finally we should know that logic rules. you and every Iranians know very well that Ahmadinejad or any other president in Iran has not any authorization over security, millitary and judiciary forces, so just be a bit more fair.
you waste to much time on that hitler
the solution is clear, don't watch it. why bother yourself commenting about the interview you haven't watch it, or if you read or watched it so why you put time on it if you think he is hitler?!
CRAY-ZEEEEEE!!!
I just wonder, if Fareed Zakaria has ever heard one honest and frank word from Ahmadinejad, Khamenei or any other one of those goons running Islamic Republic of Mullahs. Perhaps, Fareed was just after a free trip to Iran, which is fine with me. However, expecting truth from leaders of that theocracy would be like expecting snow in August, even August snow would be a more possibility, than truth from those people.
Truth is always a dagger in side of a hindu criminal, regardless what label a hindu criminal hides under, Jew or his gentile Christian. No need to be a hindu absurd, he spoke nothing else but truth, unless you are a hindu, absurd.
A word is enough to the wise ears.
Dear Fareed you brought down your credibility with this interview .
Ahmedinejad is 100% non-inflammatory and everybody is scared to death of him. Is this because he is a 911 truther, and American's KNOW their government is the crime syndicate behind all this? Yeah well, Nejad is backed by China Russia and the SCO guys. You know damn well if you keep knocking China and Russia's hegemonies that there will be a world war. Nationalism and insanity didn't help Hitler, and it won't help America. Well watch you throw it all away america. Let the energy war shake the planet and destroy the ionosphere then, and your simple minds. You could just surrender Israel, and the middle east, and convert your oil economy quick by running cars on water, as they have since the 1950's and earlier. A little free wireless energy Nikola Tesla style would be nice too, but America has a death grip on the foolish american people. The whole world has become enslaved thanks to all of your patriotism and ignorance. 911 was an inside job. Cheers
We Americans spend a trillion each year on "defense", we have bases in over 100 countries, we have troops all over the world, we are constantly making war - and STILL, we are afraid!
Let's compare the U.S. with other countries, with Costa Rica, for example. Costa Ricans, per capita, spend fifty TIMES less on "defense", yet they have security and a peace of mind that we Americans will never know. If defense were a car, we Americans pay fifty times the price that Costa Ricans pay, and we end up with a car with no engine. But we are so gullible that we never even think to ask whether we are being conned.
We are afraid, because we CHOOSE to be hooked on fear. We shoot the Fear Drug right into our veins, because fear gives a kind of purpose to our empty existence. We want to believe that other countries care about us, care enough to Threaten us and Hate us. We have been taught that we are the center of the universe. We can't imagine a world where we are simply ignored.
I see some truth in his speech. The Americans have been decepted by the media which always portrays the learders who don't toe to their lines as dectators or something similar. But the truth prevails. American needs money to maintain their supremacy. How do they do it? By the income they get from exports. This is not a problem at all. But the issue is they need friendly markets to export goods. And they also need friendly countries to meet their energy needs (e.g. oil) to manufacture those exports. The oil industry is tied to US$, so other countries need US$ to buy oil. In order to keep those friendly suppliers, USA supports any dictator who is an US puppet. Why the rulers of Bahrain was protected? Why the kings of Saudi Arabia (and even bahrain) is being supported even though that country is famous for human right abuses? If Gadafi was a freind to the USA nothing of the sorts would have happened to him. Remember US supported Saddam Hussain and created Osama Bin Laden. Why American people do not realise these? Two main possibilities; Because 1. they know these but they want to live the lavish life styles they have now, so they turn a bling eye to these behind the curtain manipulations the US does 2. They have been decepted by the media, because they have been brainwashed to believe that the US is the human rights champion of the world (not quite, this does not extend beyong US borders) and it doesn't do any harm to other nations.
Iran could be the best friend of United States of America.These two countries could cooperate together in a way to build a prosperous and strong region,the Gulf region,and this would help the world's economy to grow inside a solid contest.Let's think who does not want this friendship and why?.I would say that Arabs of Gulf'sregion have all the interest to create distance between Iran and Usa , why? , it is very simple , but you should know the history!!.Arabs of dubai for example , had sand and camels when Iran was building modern airports and was prospering thanks also to United States of America's support and freindship;then Carter came in and with endless political knowledge kicked the ass of the Shah of Iran!!, WITHOUT ANY WISE POLITICAL CALCULATION and without any reasonable and SOLID REPLACEMENT OPTION.Result : A whole region lost for decades , dubai camel people became the new friends of Usa (They became richer and richer and NOW they are INVESTIOG IN IRAN!! AND MAKING MILIONS,THEY DON'T RESPECT EMBARGOS AND THEY JUST MAKE MONEY!!) and Carter got NOBEL for PEACE !!.
Fareed could have interviewed the man in NYC. Why waste his time and our time by going all the way to Tehran and repeating the same things he has been saying about Iran. One week in Tehran and absolutely no new information about that country, the people, or anything of value. Just repeating the same accusations. He could have interviewed other people.He could have shown more of that nation.
His purpose was to attack Iran with Ahmadinejad as the boogyman. He represents the same blind American obsession to hate Iran and overthrow its regime at any cost. When we leave Iraq it is not about whether it is right for America, but as Fareed sees it, we should worry whether or not it benefits Iran. An obsession with Iran and the desire to annihilate that nation as Hilary has already expressed.
Since 2002, at least, Israel has been ordering the U.S. to attack Iran. The U.S. has no choice but to carry out that order.
It doesn't matter what Ahmadinejad says. It doesn't matter what Iran does. It doesn't matter what party rules. The Zionists despised Khatami, Ahmadinejad's reformist predecessor, as much as they despise Ahmadinejad. In 2002, the die was cast. The Zionists decided that Iran should die. And so it will happen.
The world we live in is truly insane. People who advocate dialogue and mediation don't stand a chance. The ideology of "Might Makes Right" reigns supreme, and the war-lovers treat the human race as expendable.
/ / / +( ISRAEL'S Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called on the international community to target Iran as soon as the imminent conflict with Iraq is complete. )+ - "Attack Iran the day Iraq war ends, demands Israel", Stephen Farrell, Robert Thomson and Danielle Haas, London Sunday Times, 05 Nov 2002
Interesting interview. My only feedback, would be that CNN should hire a better translator. This translation was difficult to understand. I think it is a disservice to all interested in this dialogue to have it so badly impaired and significantly impacted by the poor quality of translation. Perhaps the translation can occur after the interview (i.e. not real time to allow the translator more time to better chose the phrasing to represent the thoughts and ideas expressed.) On the positive side, probing and timely questions of important topics.
Iran going nuclear is not the main contention, but it's Iran exporting small nuclear packets to terror groups that is a major concern. And Iran has been a sponsor terrorism against the West.
Maybe with the Arab Spring throwing out more Middle Eastern despots and dictators, terrorist now have less financial support, but there still is Iran. Although I dont have much hope for true democracy to permeate these freed states, because of their tradition and culture.
Dont forget this fact – Ahmadinejad himself declared that Iran wants to wipe Israel of the map. Now is this aggression in its extreme or what?
Ahmadinejad said no such thing. The Farsi words for "map", "wipe" and "Israel" appear nowhere in his speech.
What Ahmadinejad did say is that the Israeli regime, like other oppressive regimes, would eventually become history. He compared it to the Soviet regime and the Saddam regime, both of which fell with no help from Iran.
This is a big part of the problem. We live in a world of war propaganda that is often divorced from reality. The war industry plays on our fearsd amplifies our fear to the greatest extent possible. Fear leaves no room for complexity, weight, color or perspective. The world becomes a comic book, offering only one "solution" to every problem: The Good Guys (Us) must eradicate the Bad Guys (everyone else). We lose the ability to accept the existence of other human beings on this planet, since every human being is suspect. The name for this affliction is delusional paranoia, and it is rightly regarded as a form of insanity. As we destroy other countries, we also destroy ourselves.
" "For the past thirty years, the Islamic republic has been based on a fundamental alliance between the clergy and the Revolutionary Guards,"
, "where the clerics have been ruling the country, and the Revolutionary Guards has guarded the Islamic republic" and its values. But now the dynamic has changed to "where the Revolutionary Guards is both ruling, and guarding."
Ahmadinejad did not say "wipe out Israel" ? See this video and judge for yourself
Why didn't you try to interview Mousavi or Karroubi (opposition leaders currently in prison) to prove Ahmadinejad as a liar?
Ahmadinejad is a big liar.
why do you interview with him ? Go inside the society and talk to people of Iran . Talk to Mousavi to see how does the government treat with him .
Ahmadinejad's a big liar? Didn't you say the same thing about Saddam?
It turns out that Saddam was telling you the truth. The lies were coming from the Bush neo-cons and Israel. Colin Powell went to the U.N. and presented his dog-and-pony show - lie after lie.
Truth is the first casualty in war, and the U.S. has been at war for a hundred years now. Many Americans now regard war as the normal state - we are unable to imagine an alternative. The lies that are used to justify all of these wars are deeply ingrained in us.
MacArthur tells us that even the Cold War was based on lies:
+( It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear. )+ - General Douglas MacArthur
Iran has not attacked anyone in 300 years, and Iran does not want war. Why would a country that spends $10 billion a year on defense want to attack a global military empire that spends a trillion each year on the military? War would be suicide for Iran.
So how can Iran stop you from attacking? It can't threaten you. It's only option is to try to reason with you. That is just what Ahmadinejad is doing when he calls for dialogue and mediation.
You spend a trillion each year and yet you are so insecure that you are afraid to talk with other countries. You put your faith in the god of war, and that god betrays you and mocks you.
Fareed was over there for 1 reason and 1 reason alone. To shill for obama's foreign policy. Now that libya and tunisia are done with, the next issues to deal with are syria and iran. Fareed is over there precisely at this time because he will try to soften the image of iran and try to contextualize it so that when obama turtles on these hard issues, the "folks" will support him. Fareed really needs to separate himself...either you work in his administration or you are a journalist..you cant do both and be considered free of bias. Its a HUGE conflict of interest....and fareed takes swipes at fox! can you say HYPOCRITE?
Great interview with Ahmadinejad. Good questions, but the translator was horrible. Its unfortunate that his words are not correctly conveyed to the American public.
Fareed, I like your show and comments. But I do not like the way you are promoting the Turkish government. I guess you do not know how much the government is controlling the news media by either jailing the journalists and professors with fake accusations or by blackmailing them. Almost all the tv channels and newspapers are controlled by them and every day we see more and more influence of the religion in their governing style. They are slowly and definitely destroying the secularism which was a great gift to the Turkish people given by its great leader Ataturk.
Actually, if you can escape all the brainwashing of the Western media that has portrayed Ahmenedijad as this hardliner and a threat, you will see that he is very astute during all of the interviews. Look at the bemused expression in his eyes when he says that the US is engineering its own downfall in the world with its destructive foreign policies. He says the US needs to focus more on its own people – that is bang on – and invest more financially in its own society – bang on again – rather than putting billions of dollars into the killing industry of war – bang on again. Ironic that this has to come from someone who isn't an American, don't you think? All massive empires sow the seeds of their own demise – from Rome to Genghis Khan to America. Maintaining a global empire usually becomes the nemesis of its downfall.
What a waste to engage this idiot from Teheran...lies and more lies, nothing to learn, nothing to gain. He will end up in the history garbage bin like all the others who pollute our planet with their sick minds...
Wow, did he really say that "Nobody, nobody, nobody has the right to kill others, neither the government nor the opponents." I cannot believe it.
He, with his "government" has executed more than 300 people this year.
He is the biggest hypocrite.
And how many has TEXAS executed.
How many have we murdered in Iraq.
If I were you I would just shut the hell up.
The truth sure hurt sometimes,everything taht this man said is the TRUTH,we can try to demonize him as much as we want.
the fact is the Zionists and some in the American government want Iran to not advance as a Nation and want them to depend on us for as Much as possible,Iran has so much oil but yet they have to purchase refine oil from Russia,why because of American embargo on their oil refinery.
When I hear Idiots here mention that Iran has so much oil why do they want Nuclear energy,I just laugh,apparently they no Clue that Iran has to buy oil.
This translator is horrible!! So many mistranslations!
Why does iran still mention the United States do not even think of the United States. There is no negotiating you missed you do not get another chance.
Let everyone around the world and throughout the universe know we are not an empire. The United States is THE BODY OF CHRIST !
u gotta love this man. Ahmadinejat is great....
Most Republicans wish they had such a tuff and wise leader....
Republicans already had one, the great war monger, who squandered taxpayers hardearned money to the tune of almost US$4 trillion. And inside 10 years period, he also conseqently created America's worst financial disaster in its history.
laughable monkey...
no gays in iran? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
and people here like him and think he's sane? LOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
The world would be a better place without any religion.
Extreme religious bigots have caused more deaths and destructions than the Black Plague.
Zionist or non Zionist, there is no real solid proof by any religion, that afterlife exists or dont.
"Nobody, nobody, nobody has the right to kill others, neither the government nor the opponents." Then stop the killing if you really believe this. You kill Persians like they are nothing to you.
Holy Cow, I cannot believe that some folks are discussing this psychopath and piece of human garbage like he is not some sort of dictator and a lunatic!!!! This guy is very dangerous for Iran and it's people and the rest of the world!! What is it with all those looney toons in charge in that part of the world?? They are being picked off though one by one.... and inventionally I'm sure he will be next maybe even by the hand of his own people. And those new glasses he is wearing do not make him more civilized , might look it, but just another wolf in sheeps clothing!!
He is maybe not an agel but WE ARE THE LIARS. (NO NUKES IN IRAK)
Not an angel seems a huge understatement to me! There were no nukes at that time in Irak but the s.o.b did use chemical weapons on his own people to see if they really worked!!! The possiblity for nukes to have been there was very real and Saddam certainly give that indication himself. I feel for the people of Irak, most just trying to make a living like the rest of us but living under a sadistic dictator like that..... In the long run these folks will be much better off. And yes, SADLY, lying is part of the game, on all sides!!! It's called politics but at least we can say what we want about our politics without the threat of being excecuted as they previously did in Irak.
I am shocked with Fareed Zakaria's conservative superficial interview with Ahmadinejad. It was 180 degree against typical Fareed's interviews. Based on his depth of knowledge and interviewing expertise, I failed to understand why he escaped from critical issues and hottest topics like political imprisonment, brutal genocide in Iran, terrorism, inflation etc, and limited himself to very superficial questions from Ahmadinejad. Why Fareed overlooked pathological lying of Ahmadinejad? We as Persian deserve to know these, and got very concerned about story behind the scene.
It is uncanny the analogous scenario that is emerging:
Another "rogue" state is suspected of a devious and subversive plot (first Iraq and Saddam Hussein's harboring of terrorists post 9-11 ... and now Iran's suspected plot to assassinate a Saudi Diplomat). The accusations against Iraq eventually led to accusations of possession of WMDs and a subsequent invasion. Today, Iran is already accused of developing nuclear weapons. Combined with these recent accusations, what will be Iran's equivalent to the invasion of Iraq. More sanctions? I worry that US and European response may too quickly forget the mistakes from less than a decade ago. http://sketchskeptic.wordpress.com/ Responses must be more prudent and more patient.
Who the fuk is the translator? is he really Persian? you don't have a proper Persian translator in the whole damn CNN?
His Farsi is even worse than Fareed English!
NASER, Wy dont you go to iran an ask Ahmadinejad why he is a pathological lyer. See how long it takes for your head to endup in a box. GOOD JOB ZAKARIA.
I think he's right I hate the yanks for what they have done, they are responsible for the deaths of many millions of people from Vietnam to Libya and a lot in between
Mr. Ahmadinejad is the person who masterminded and controlled the Iran hostage situation during President Carters administration which lasted 444 days. Does anyone remember this? I do! I do not take stock or trust in a terrorist who runs any country. He has no credibility and speaks with forked toungue.
The U.S needs to mind its own business and stop trying to police other nations, u always fail.
So basically what he is saying is that Iran is not against Israel but against Zionist regime, it's like allies was against NAZIs in Germany.
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