Ahmadinejad in 60 Minutes

I am not a big fan of those shows aired on MBC4, like the Insider et. al., however 60 Minutes is one of those shows that I can watch if am really bored and have nothing else to do. Today they had an interview with the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
This guy is one of those who are really heard to loose an argument, but on the other hand he is not good in choosing his words at all. But I liked most of his answers in this interview. Anyway, here you are a summary of the interview made by CBS correspondent Mike Wallace.

Wallace asked him about Iran's support to Hezbollah, as well as what he called Hezbollah's use of missiles, rockets furnished by Iran.

"(What about)The (American made) laser-guided bombs that have been given to the Zionists and they're targeting the shelter of defenseless children and women," the president said.
"Hezbollah is a popular organization in Lebanon, and they are defending their land," the president said. "They are defending their own houses. And, according to the charter of the United Nations, every person has the right to defend his house."

Then Wallace asked him, "Hezbollah is displacing and damaging and making bleed all kinds of people. You know that."

"Please tell me, are the Lebanese inside the occupied lands right now or is it the other way around, that the Zionist troops are in Lebanese territory?" Ahmadinejad replied. "Lebanon is defending its independence. We are not at all happy with war. That is why on the first day we condemned these recent — conflict. And we asked for an immediate cease fire."

What Ahmadinejad said next, was one of those stuff that made me say that he is not good at all in choosing his own words.

"The United Nations Security Council has not passed an effective ceasefire resolution because the Security Council is in America's pocket."
"Tell, the reason is, that the United Nations Security Council is there to safeguard the interests of the British and the Americans. They are not there to provide security. It's very clear," the president said.

Come on, this can be said among ordinary people, but I believe that it is not acceptable for a president of a country which is member of the U.N. to say something like that. He was supposed to rephrase what he said at least.
He was then asked about the Iranian Nuclear program that the United States oppose.

"Security Council is also doing America's bidding by trying to prevent Iran from developing nuclear energy. The Security Council is demanding that Iran stop all uranium enrichment by the end of this month, which Iran is refusing to do. But if Mr. Bush thinks that he can stop our progress, I have to say that he will be unable to do that."
"We want to have access to nuclear technology. We want to produce fuel. Do you not think that the most important issue of the world of tomorrow that is will be energy?"
"We think that Mr. Bush's team and the parties that support him want to monopolize energy resources in the world. Because once they have that they can impose their opinions, points of view, policies on other nations and, of course, line their own pockets."

Ok, I don't think monopolizing energy resources in the world is the real reason, or at least the main reason. Monopolizing the military force is the reason I think, however he is not able to say something like that, especially that he is no supposed to announce that they have plans to produce their own Nuclear bomb. However what he said next made it clear that monopolizing energy resources in the world isn't the real reason all.

"Before the revolution, the German, French, American government and the Canadian government had signed contracts with us to produce nuclear fuel inside Iran. But immediately after the establishment of the Islamic Republic, their opposition started," he said. "Right now, they are opposed to our nuclear technology. Now why is that?"

So, it is all about the Americans interests, when it comes to a regime that is with them such as Israel for example, then they can simply have their own nuclearr program and nuclear arsenal as well. And no one will ever disagree.

Then it was time for one of Ahmadinejad's most famous quotes, and one of those which makes me insiste that he is not good in choosing his words.

"You still have not answered the question. You still have not answered the question. Israel must be wiped off the map. Why?"

The president's answer is some how reasonable, but believee me I am not sure if it can convince anyone in the western world at all.
Ahmadinejad said, that if the Holocaust is a reality, and it took place in Europe (Germany), then Israel is supposed to be located there instead of making thePalestiniann people suffer,ande being punished for nothing.

"Well, if an atrocity was committed in Germany or Europe for that matter, why should the Palestinians answer for this?" the president asked. "They had no role to play in this. Why on the pretext of the Holocaust they have occupied Palestine? Millions of people have been made refugees. Thousands of people to-date have been killed, sir. Thousands of people have been put in prison. Well, at the very moment, a great war is raging because of that."

Then there was a question about the situation in Iraq, and Iran's role in furnishing the insurgents in Iraq with the kind of material that can kill U.S. soldiers.
Actually I wasn't able to understand Ahmadinejad's answer and what he really wanted to say.
He said that Iraq has its own government a USA is not supposed to stay there anymore. Then he said that according to international law, the responsibility of providing security rests on the shoulder of the occupying, rather army.Which means that America is supposed to stay these till the insecurity problem these is solved.

Wallace then asked him on of the silliest questions he can ever ask to an Iranian President. He asked him what he thinks of Mr. Bush. After that he asked if he has a desire to resume relations with the United States.

Anyway, you may read the whole interview at CBS's website.

tag: Iran, Politics, USA, Ahmadinejad, CBS, 60 Minutes, Gr33n Data