Iranian Leader Opens Up
Ahmadinejad Speaks Candidly With Mike Wallace About Israel, Nukes, Bush
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Ahmadinejad's Message For Bush
After not hearing back from the White House about his 18-page letter three months ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had a message for President Bush. Mike Wallace reports.
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Can Iran & U.S. Renew Ties?
Asked whether or not Iran wanted to resume relations with the U.S. after more than two decades, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells Mike Wallace what he thinks about re-establishing ties.
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Iran's Pres. On Nukes & Israel
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to Mike Wallace about several hot-topic issues such as the country's nuclear program, the war in Iraq and what he personally thinks about Israel.
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Mike Wallace interviews Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the Presidential Palace in Tehran on Tuesday, August 8, 2006. (CBS)
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After Ahmadinejad answered the question, an assistant handed the president a note. Asked what he was telling him, Ahmadinejad said he had been told to rearrange his jacket.
"Why are they worried about your jacket? I think you look just fine," Wallace said, laughing.
"That is right. They have told me the same thing. They tell me that it's a very nice looking coat," Ahmadinejad replied.
Asked if he is a vain man, Ahmadinejad said, "Sometimes appearances — yes, you have to look your back… that is why I comb my hair."
"What do you do for leisure?" Wallace asked.
"I study. I read books. I exercise. And, of course, I spend some time — quality time — with my family," said Ahmadinejad, who is a father of three.
"How long has it been since the leaders of Iran and the leaders of the U.S. have had any conversations?" Wallace asked.
"Twenty-six, 27 years," the president replied.
Asked if he has a desire to resume relations with the United States, Ahmadinejad said, "Who cut the relations, I ask you."
"That's not the point. The question is would you, the president of Iran, like to resume relations which have been gone for 26, 27 years with the United States," Wallace pressed.
"Well, we are interested to have relations with all governments … and all nations. This is a principle of my foreign policy," Ahmadinejad said.
"I know that," Wallace said.
"Allow me to finish myself," Ahmadinejad said.
"Why don't you just answer, say yes or no?" Wallace asked. "Do you want to have relations now, after 26, 27 years, with the United States? What harm could come from that?"
"We are not talking about harm. The conditions, conducive conditions, have to be there," Ahmadinejad said.
Asked what those "conducive conditions" are, the president said, "Well, please look at the makeup of the American administration, the behavior of the American administration. See how they talk down to my nation. They want to build an empire. And they don't want to live side by side in peace with other nations."
"Who does not? Washington does not?" Wallace asked.
"The American government, sir. It is very clear to me they have to change their behavior and everything will be resolved," Ahmadinejad answered.
"I am told that your aides want us to wind up our interview. But you kindly promised to answer my questions," Wallace said. "And I still have just a few left."
"Well, you might have five more hours of questions now," Ahmadinejad said. "Well, I have other appointments to get to. It's time for the night prayer, sir."
"Last one," Wallace said. "You have a special unit of martyr seekers in your revolutionary guard. They claim they have 52,000 trained suicide bombers ready to attack American and British targets if America should attack Iran."
"So, are you expecting the Americans to threaten us and we sit idly by and watch them with our hands … tied?" Ahmadinejad said.
Asked if the Americans have threatened him, Ahmadinejad said: "I do hope that the Americans will give up this practice of threatening other nations so that you are not forced me to ask such questions. I wish you well."
Produced By Robert G. Anderson ©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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See all 3479 CommentsTell that lie to the scores of innocent victims in both Lebanon and Israel- victims of a terrorist "army" of hate-filled men who utilize those people for human shields; an army trained, encouraged, and supplied by the government of Iran. I'm so sick of terrorists being given a venue in the American press, to promulgate their lies. We are finding out just how "unbiased" the major media are, after hundreds of doctored pictures, corpses being used as "victims"- just tell the truth. We can take it.
Absolutely no negative questions were asked (nor would they have been allowed) so your integrity and journalist impartiality was non-existent. Well, from the station that gave us Dan Rather-gate, I would expect no hint of professionalism.
This man has the goal, desire, vision to destroy us. He has no desire to have true diplomacy.
I guess he is speaking to the crowd that continues to blame America for what happened on 9/11. And they are listening to him !
like Dan Rather sought Saddam, now Wallace seeks attention from a similar character - Ahmedijihad...
Mike Wallace would have given Hitler an interview on the eve of World War II. Have you no standards Mr. Wallace? Stop prostituting yourself.
If he thinks the era of the bomb has ended (it has yet to begin actually) I wonder why his government is striving so mightily to obtain one. When the era of the bomb does arrive, it will likely be because this man has ushered it in.
The neoconservative movement has hijacked the Republican party and the United States of America. We've spread more terror around the globe than most americans can admit. This terror includes instilling unrational fear in our own people for political ends.
FDR - "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
Bush Administration - "Fear Everything! Fear all the time! Fear because it gives us power!"
I am no longer afraid of these people. They deserve my contempt, not my fear. I really hope the media is seeing that the american people no longer believe commercial media, big business, and the govenment love triangle.
I applaud CBS News for this interview! I would rather have poor understanding than no understanding at all!
I don't want to think of myself as a bigot, racist, or anything such thing, however, enough is enough.
Muslims, Arab descent's, the religion of islam, and the middle east should be 'put in their place' once and for all!
That part of the world has been in wars for hundreds of years over religion. If they want to kill one another off, let them. Then, maybe we can all have a little peace. However, first, we must deport ALL Muslims, Arabs, and Middle Eastern Descent people. That sounds good to me! While they're at it, deport the illegal mexicans, and cubans. Let's not forget the illegal Somolians in Columbus, Ohio; the illegal Haitian's in New York; and the politicians in the US Government that promotes and supports the illegal invasion - all for the sake of globalization!
Each politician in the US government must be held responsible for the illegal invasion; just as, each middle-eastern should be held responsible for 9/11.
Let's just nuke the whole Middle East, but lets take our corrupt politicians there first.
See how ridiculous it all sounds? That's just like the interview with Mike Wallace.
she'd get the big sitdown with the lunatic and show America just what a sensitive, reasonable guy he is (and cute!)
To get scooped by that brastrap-snappin' Wallace. That's gotta hurt...
Give us all a break!
If Ahmadinejad honestly believed this statement to be true, then why the pursuit of a nuclear weapon for his own country
Nothing is cut and dry, but one thing is for sure, our government needs reform. How many civilians have been killed by our government? The numbers are huge, we have condoned many a cope and Iraq is a grave yard of civilian deaths at America's hands. Everyone shouts dribble about evil terrorists who kill civilians, well what about our administration? How many civilian deaths have they caused with carelessness and greed? Does that make Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice and so on, terrorists or heros?
His actions do not square with his words.
His nation is the lauching pad for terroism with a world wide islamic goal to dominate and control.
If he could he would behead Mike Wallace as an infidel.
The USA does live at peace with it's neighbors.
The only power in History that seeks to free those who it conquers in Battle. With no desire to dominate anyone.
I hope the People of the World can see the difference.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should leave office with his head held high - by someone else, and separated from his shoulders.
Sawed-off Islamo-nazi punk.
A prostitute is what you are Mr. Wallace.
Ahmedinejad is a strong believer in psychological warfare, mouthing sweet words of understanding while initiating terrorism all over the world.
Mike Wallace is helping him spread his deceptions.
God help you if you ever really get your way. Your heroes will make sure you're the first to go.
Sounds like a threat to me.
I believe Pres. Bush did the right thing by not responding to his 18 page letter. CBS and everyone at 60 Minutes is so anti Bush, what else can they dig up out of the gutter?
We as a Nation need to be carefull how we view the words of this Iranian leader.
His actions do not square with his words.
His nation is the lauching pad for terroism with a world wide islamic goal to dominate and control.
If he could he would behead Mike Wallace as an infidel.
The USA does live at peace with it's neighbors.
The only power in History that seeks to free those who it conquers in Battle. With no desire to dominate anyone.
I hope the People of the World can see the difference.
What??? I guess that's why they are developing a nuke of their own to destroy Israel. And I'm sure they are busy exchanging cultural ideas with various Jewish and Christian groups of the world. Wake up world, this guy wants to convert you or kill you, plain and simple.
It is an all too familiar trend - the major news outlets are not what they once were, and do not broadcast in the public interest. Why the FCC allows these amoral entites continued access to the public airwaves is beyond me.
I wish you nothing but misery in retirement, Mr. Walllace.
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