Iran Has Confidence-building Measures On Nuclear Issue : Ahmadinejad

Tehran, Sept 26, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran has made good suggestions in its negotiations with Group 5+1 and believes that if those countries were committed to law and were satisfied with their own rights, all problems would be eliminated. According to the report of Presidential Office website, President Ahmadinejad, who is in New York to attend the 67th UN General Assembly meeting, in an interview with Washington Post Newspaper and in response to a question concerning possible war and possible consequences of the Zionist regime attack against Iran, said Iran does not take Zionist regime threats very seriously. He added such threats have no importance for Iran, but the important issue for us is why the world is being managed in such a manner that such people can feel free to threaten others. To a question if continuation of dialogue between Iran and Group 5+1 can be effective to reduce the tension, Ahmadinejad answered it is true that situation is sensitive, but we should pay attention to the roots and causes of the situation and if we intend to reform these conditions, we should discover its causes and eliminate them and one of the main causes for creation of such situation is desire of certain countries to take possession on others' lands and wealth. Ahmadinejad continued that discovering and confronting with causes of current world situation takes time, but we should move in several directions in parallel, in this move we should first control radicals and domineering powers and then, in the next step, we should welcome every kind of understanding which can control tensions. Answering a question if Iran is ready to dispatch its surplus produced uranium to another country, Ahmadinejad said, 'Do you really think it is the only problem or it is a way to remove the concerns?' 'Is there any guarantee that if Iran removes this pretext, a new one will not be made? Who should really be concerned about the other side's behavior? asked the president. 'Do you think there is really an intention to settle the issue? Islamic Republic of Iran suspended all its nuclear activities once for confidence-building, but demands and expectations did not decrease, rather they became more and more.' He referred to allocation of 80 billion dollars to rebuild US atomic bombs last year and continued when such a decision was made by the US government, Iran did not express concern, while the westerners are expressing concern about a low volume of Iran’s enriched uranium. If president of the USA in his speech in the General Assembly this year says that in case of failing negotiations with Iran, they will try in every way to prevent Iran to access to the nuclear weapon, what would Iran’s stance in this case be? Ahmadinejad answered if he repeats these words, Iran will declare its answer, too, but I believe the American people are not eager to create conflict and interfere in other countries' affairs and they are a peace-loving people and eager to be friend with other countries. On Syria, Ahmadinejad said Iran's viewpoint on internal affairs of other nations are completely clear and we believe problems in Syria should be solved by holding a free election and respecting people's sovereignty. President Ahmadinejad added in Tehran NAM summit meeting, it was decided on consulting with other countries and establishing a contact group to make contact with conflicting sides in Syria and establishing a cease-fire there, which efforts in this concern continue. Considering the US decision to withdraw forces from Afghanistan, Ahmadinejad said nobody, especially neighboring countries and friends of Afghanistan should avoid helping establishment of tranquility and strengthening national sovereignty there. He underlined that problems in Afghanistan should be settled with local solutions and in the region and stressed that Iran, in cooperation with other neighboring states of Afghanistan, has held regional meetings to rectify situations in Afghanistan and that other countries can participate in the meetings to try to settle problems in that country. Ahmadinejad underlined that he feels there is no single viewpoint about Afghanistan among the US politicians and it is necessary that the Americans reach a unity of view point upon respecting Afghan national sovereignty and strengthening political trend there. It was asked what kind of message Ahmadinejad had for people living in occupied territories, so that they do not consider Iran as a threat to themselves; Ahmadinejad responded Iran has good relations with the whole world and wherever we see people are under cruelty we consider ourselves their friends. Referring to demonstrations of several hundred thousands of people in occupied territories who protest the Zionist regime, Ahmadinejad said these people are not happy with their situation and are protesting against it. He added that all must try to remove occupation, bullying and terrorism and this is Iran’s main stance and Iran believes people should decide about their own fate freely. It is unlikely that the US people agree with the Zionist regime behaviors and they certainly disagree with occupation, terror, bullying methods and taking people to refugee camps and demolishing houses, and if American people are asked about helping that regime, they will oppose with it, said Ahmadinejad. The president stated that Palestinians should be allowed to decide on their future in a free and overall election and this decision should be respected by all others./end