Iranian TV Requests Obama Interview
The U.N.-based Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the official news organization of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has told CBS News Tuesday that it has officially asked for an interview with President Barack Obama as a direct response to Mr. Obama's call for opportunities to engage.
The Islamic News Agency's U.N. representative, Khosro Shayesteh told CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk that they have requested the interview and are waiting for a response, saying that this would be a direct way for Mr. Obama to reach out to the Iranian people if he wants to begin a dialogue.
"The Iranian request for an interview with Obama comes at an opportune time for U.S.-Iran relations since both President Obama and Iran's President have offered to begin negotiations, which were stalled during the eight years of the Bush Administration, and because Obama gave his first official interview as President to Al Arabiya," said Falk.
Iran's president said the world was "entering an era of dialogue" and that his country would welcome talks with its longtime adversary, the United States, if they are based on mutual respect.
Ahmadinejad's announcement comes a day after Mr. Obama said his administration was looking for opportunities to engage Iran and pledged to rethink United States' relationship with Tehran.
"The Iranian nation is ready for talks (with the U.S.) but in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect," Ahmadinejad told hundreds of thousands of Iranians during a celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed shah and brought hard-line clerics to power.
The hard-line Iranian leader said terrorism, the elimination of nuclear weapons, restructuring the U.N. Security Council and fighting drug trafficking could be topics for the two sides to talk about.
Ahmadinejad said the world was at a "crossroads" because it had been proven that military power has not been successful - a reference to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But now, he said, "the world is entering an era of dialogue and intellect."
Tehran and Washington severed relations nearly three decades ago after the 1979 Iranian revolution and the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by hard-line Iranian students.
But relations deteriorated even further after the Sept. 11 attacks when former President George W. Bush declared Iran belonged to an "axis of evil." Ahmadinejad widened that gap after he was elected in 2005 and defied the U.S. and its allies by pursuing Iran's controversial nuclear program.
The U.S. believes Iran is secretly trying to pursue nuclear weapons, but Iran has denied this accusation, saying its program is solely for peaceful purposes such as electricity.
"The fate that befell Bush - and it was a very bad fate - can be viewed as a lesson for most of the people that ... want to impose their will on the world," he said.
Since his campaign for president, Mr. Obama has signaled a willingness for a dialogue with Iran. At his inauguration last month, Mr. Obama said his administration would reach out to Muslims, saying "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
On Monday, Obama said his national security team was reviewing its existing Iran policy and "looking at areas where we can have constructive dialogue." He said he expected that his administration would be looking for "openings" where Washington and Tehran can sit face-to-face.
Iranian leaders have struck a moderate - but cautious - tone about Obama since his election in November. Ahmadinejad sent Obama a message of congratulations after he was elected - the first time an Iranian leader offered such wishes to the winner of a U.S. presidential race since the two countries broke off relations.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Islamic News Agency's U.N. representative, Khosro Shayesteh told CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk that they have requested the interview and are waiting for a response, saying that this would be a direct way for Mr. Obama to reach out to the Iranian people if he wants to begin a dialogue.
"The Iranian request for an interview with Obama comes at an opportune time for U.S.-Iran relations since both President Obama and Iran's President have offered to begin negotiations, which were stalled during the eight years of the Bush Administration, and because Obama gave his first official interview as President to Al Arabiya," said Falk.
Iran's president said the world was "entering an era of dialogue" and that his country would welcome talks with its longtime adversary, the United States, if they are based on mutual respect.
Ahmadinejad's announcement comes a day after Mr. Obama said his administration was looking for opportunities to engage Iran and pledged to rethink United States' relationship with Tehran.
"The Iranian nation is ready for talks (with the U.S.) but in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect," Ahmadinejad told hundreds of thousands of Iranians during a celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed shah and brought hard-line clerics to power.
The hard-line Iranian leader said terrorism, the elimination of nuclear weapons, restructuring the U.N. Security Council and fighting drug trafficking could be topics for the two sides to talk about.
"If you really want to fight terrorism, come and cooperate with the Iranian nation, which is the biggest victim of terrorism so that terrorism is eliminated. ... If you want to confront nuclear weapons ... you need to stand beside Iran so it can introduce a correct path to you," he said.World Watch Blog: How "Ready" Is Iran To Talk, Really?
Ahmadinejad said the world was at a "crossroads" because it had been proven that military power has not been successful - a reference to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But now, he said, "the world is entering an era of dialogue and intellect."
"The new U.S. government has announced that it wants to bring changes and follow the path of dialogue. It is very clear that changes have to be fundamental and not tactical. It is clear that the Iranian nation welcomes true changes," Ahmadinejad told the crowds at the rally in Freedom Square.
Video: Tehran and Washington severed relations nearly three decades ago after the 1979 Iranian revolution and the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran by hard-line Iranian students.
But relations deteriorated even further after the Sept. 11 attacks when former President George W. Bush declared Iran belonged to an "axis of evil." Ahmadinejad widened that gap after he was elected in 2005 and defied the U.S. and its allies by pursuing Iran's controversial nuclear program.
The U.S. believes Iran is secretly trying to pursue nuclear weapons, but Iran has denied this accusation, saying its program is solely for peaceful purposes such as electricity.
Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that the "world does not want to see the dark age of Bush repeated."
"The fate that befell Bush - and it was a very bad fate - can be viewed as a lesson for most of the people that ... want to impose their will on the world," he said.
Since his campaign for president, Mr. Obama has signaled a willingness for a dialogue with Iran. At his inauguration last month, Mr. Obama said his administration would reach out to Muslims, saying "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
On Monday, Obama said his national security team was reviewing its existing Iran policy and "looking at areas where we can have constructive dialogue." He said he expected that his administration would be looking for "openings" where Washington and Tehran can sit face-to-face.
Iranian leaders have struck a moderate - but cautious - tone about Obama since his election in November. Ahmadinejad sent Obama a message of congratulations after he was elected - the first time an Iranian leader offered such wishes to the winner of a U.S. presidential race since the two countries broke off relations.
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and it''s atheism that states that everyone should live forever in peace.
Islam never enticed destroying non-muslims. You are fueling hatred here. Keep your lies to yourself.
It is Judaism which states that non-Jews are inferior. Can you deny that?
--
You''re right. I didn''t say "Islam". I said the current Iranian regime, which has said "Isarael should be wiped out". Not a very peaceful statement, I''m sure you''ll agree.
I have nothing against Isam, my friend.
--
Well the Germans (ie Nazi party) pretty much tried to wipe out all Jews. And now we''re friends with the German people. Hopefully, someday, the loudmouth obnoxious regime of Iran will fall by the hand of their own people (much like Iraqis wanted to get rid of Saddam). But military action against Iran would be counter-productive at this point. You know, I think Ahmadinejad is hoping for American military action so he can be a "hero" to "his" people.
"Ahmadinejad said the world was at a "crossroads" because it had been proven that military power has not been successful - a reference to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "
Does Iran think that it can get America to help it destroy Israel? Why do they think we should support a nation that has vowed Israels destruction and the destruction of all ''non-Muslims'', What would it ''profit'' us to help those who would destroy us.
God bless you and your family.
--You''''re generalizing sir. And you don''''t know anything about me.
I''''m not American. I don''''t support Israel. Or the United States. Or Iran. Or anyone who wages war for profit, gain, or hatred. You should have read all my posts before attacking me.
You say you''''re a "calm person" but you''''re not acting that way, are you?
Anyways, God bless. Live long and prosper, my friend.
Posted by daffy64 at 06:11 PM : Feb 11, 2009
**********
Ahhh, projection. The projecting of one''s own flaws onto another person - you''re very good at it. Or perhaps not so good at it.
Fact: I never attacked you - you attacked me. You called me a hater, and as yet, have not cited a single example to support you assertion that I am making mischieve and not seeking peace. Cite a single example.
In the meantime, you need to calm down, and stop projecting. Stick to either your assertions or refuting those of others. But these baseless tirades are growing boring.
With that said, let me repeat myself yet again: The Zionists and their supporters are running from their own history of brital agression, lies, theft and manipulation. And instead of accept their history, and seek to make amends, the Zionists seek a never-ending cycle of war. It''s time to give truth and chance in the Middle East.
--You''re generalizing sir. And you don''t know anything about me.
I''m not American. I don''t support Israel. Or the United States. Or Iran. Or anyone who wages war for profit, gain, or hatred. You should have read all my posts before attacking me.
You say you''re a "calm person" but you''re not acting that way, are you?
Anyways, God bless. Live long and prosper, my friend.
Does anyone remember Imperial Japan and what happened to them when their leaders caved-in to paranoid militaristic hawks and launch an ill-advised preemptive strike at Pearl Harbor?
Seems like a much more pertinent analogue to me...
May you find peace. God be with you.
Posted by daffy64 at 05:28 PM : Feb 11, 2009
**********
If I wasn''t a calm person, I would really tell you what I think of your transparent charade.
So instead I will simply statd that you are VERY, VERY typical of the Zionist hate-machine. You avoid facts at all costs, make baseless accusations, support either passively or expressly Zionist atrocities, then you fall-back on peace and God.
So I challenge you to cite a single example of where I was making mischieve and not seeking truth. A single example.
With that said, I will repeat myself: you Zionsits are running from your own outrageous history of violense, theft, lies and manipulation. And instead of address those issues, you point you fingers at Iran in yet another attempt to start yet another Zionist war. We''ve had enough of your wars.
May peace find you and Zionists.