Ahmadinjad says he open to talks with the U.S.
- 12 years ago
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he's open for talks with the United States.
SOUNDBITE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying (Farsi):
"Based on the fundamentals of respect we are willing and ready for a dialogue on the resolution of problems.
Israel and the U.S. have refused to rule out the possibility of an armed strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
SOUNDBITE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying (Farsi):
"Of course this point must be touched upon that we have never had any problems with the people of the United States, with the nation, with the average American citizens nor were we ever preoccupied by them. We love them equally like any other nation or any other people and we do believe that they also seek fairness, justice, peace and a friendly life and coexistence with other nations."
Addressing the UN General Assembly earlier in the day, his description of Israel wasn't nearly as glowing.
SOUNDBITE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying (Farsi):
"Continued threat by the uncivilized Zionists to resort to military action against our great nation is a clear example of this bitter reality. A state of mistrust has cast its shadow on the international relations, while there is no trusted or just authority to help resolve world conflicts."
His comments were toned down compare to those from earlier in the week -- in which he said Israel would be eliminated.
Outside the UN, a protest against the Iran leader whose speech came on an important Jewish holy day.
Former Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani.
SOUNDBITE: Former Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani saying:
"The U.N. should be ashamed of itself for allowing him to speak, in New York City, on Yom Kippur. I mean just a disgrace."
This was Ahmadinejad's eight address to the UN and is expected to be his last.
SOUNDBITE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying (Farsi):
"Based on the fundamentals of respect we are willing and ready for a dialogue on the resolution of problems.
Israel and the U.S. have refused to rule out the possibility of an armed strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.
SOUNDBITE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying (Farsi):
"Of course this point must be touched upon that we have never had any problems with the people of the United States, with the nation, with the average American citizens nor were we ever preoccupied by them. We love them equally like any other nation or any other people and we do believe that they also seek fairness, justice, peace and a friendly life and coexistence with other nations."
Addressing the UN General Assembly earlier in the day, his description of Israel wasn't nearly as glowing.
SOUNDBITE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying (Farsi):
"Continued threat by the uncivilized Zionists to resort to military action against our great nation is a clear example of this bitter reality. A state of mistrust has cast its shadow on the international relations, while there is no trusted or just authority to help resolve world conflicts."
His comments were toned down compare to those from earlier in the week -- in which he said Israel would be eliminated.
Outside the UN, a protest against the Iran leader whose speech came on an important Jewish holy day.
Former Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani.
SOUNDBITE: Former Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani saying:
"The U.N. should be ashamed of itself for allowing him to speak, in New York City, on Yom Kippur. I mean just a disgrace."
This was Ahmadinejad's eight address to the UN and is expected to be his last.