Transcript of Interview with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

[Thanks to Kevin for finding this transcript for me]

AHMADINEJAD: (Translated.)
"Basically, we are not looking for - working for the bomb. The problem that President Bush has that in his mind he wants to solve everything with bombs. The time of the bomb is in the past. It's behind us. Today is the era of thoughts, dialogue, and cultural exchanges."

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Q: What did you expect to hear back from President Bush?

<>AHMADINEJAD: (Translated.)
"I was expecting Mr. Bush to give up, or I should say to change his behavior. I was hoping to open a new window for the gentleman. One can certainly look on the world from other perspectives. You can love the people. You can love all people. You can talk with the people of the Middle East using another language, other words. Instead of blind support for an imposed regime they can establish a more appropriate relationship with the people of the region. "
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Open Letter to Mike Wallace on His Ahmadinejad Interview
by Michael K. Smith

Dear Mr. Wallace,

Your interview with Iranian President Ahmadinejad was a disgrace to the journalistic profession. You began with the condescending manner of a school principal lecturing the class clown for immature behavior and squandered the entire interview on hypocritically accusatory questions. If gall were an Olympic sport, you'd take the Gold Medal.

As the President tried to tell you -- with admirable diplomatic charm -- it is not for Iran to re-establish diplomatic relations with the United States, which voluntarily broke off such relations nearly three decades ago, and has maintained total belligerence towards the Islamic Republic ever since. In case you haven't noticed, the U.S. is currently sponsoring two bloody occupations on Iran's borders, while showering Israel's devastation of Lebanon with U.S. weapons just a stone's throw away. It is in this context that you asked Mr. Ahmadinejad if he desired good relations with the United States. The only thing that might have saved your line of questioning is the CBS laugh track.
...cont'd