This man is definitely one of the most interesting leaders of the Middle East. Smarter than Qaddhafi, better looking than Saddam Hussein, less of a tyrant than most of his neighbours and probably a better speaker than them all, meet Mahmood Ahmadinejad as he gave an interview to CBS' 60 Minutes programme. Mike Wallace, the show's former star presenter, returned to his job just for this interview.
The son of a blacksmith, he was a commando during the Iran-Iraq war; has a Ph.D. in civil engineering, and became president a year ago by running as a populist man of the people.
Quotes (From the transcript of the show on CBS' website) I promise i won't burn the interview for you :)
On energy:
"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."
On his quote:
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.
On the United Nations Security Council:
Ahmadinejad told Wallace 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.
"The UNSC, the United Nations Security Council, is there to protect the interests of the United States and the British. That's what you say?" Wallace asked.
"It has been created to help with peace and justice. But we see that it is not responding to atrocities. If we search for the root causes we see the hand of the British and the Americans," Ahmadinejad said. "People, innocent people are being killed. … And houses are being destroyed. Where is the UNSC? Also, the draft resolution which has been circulated only serves the interests of one party. And it is not just."
My favourite bit of interview:
(after a lengthy reply of Ahmadinejad about how the Palestinians had no role in the Holocaust and therefore were not supposed to have their country occupied)
"Look if you could — if you could keep your answers concise. Concise. I beg you. We'll get more questions in," Wallace requested.
"Well, one of your questions required — all of your questions require a book-long answer. If you want me to just finish the interview, please tell me and we can wrap up right now," the president said.
"No, no, no, no, no," Wallace said.
"Do you, perhaps want me to say what you want me to say?" Ahmadinejad said to Wallace.
"No, no," Wallace insisted.
"If that is the case, then I ask you to please be patient," the president replied. "Maybe these days you don't have a lot of patience to spare. Maybe these are words that you don't like to hear, Mr. Wallace."
"Why? What? What words do I not like to hear?" Wallace asked.
"Because I think that you're getting angry," Ahmadinejad said.
"I couldn't be happier for the privilege of sitting down with the president of Iran," Wallace said.
And, on how to end an interview:
"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."
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."
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Hehehe. Am not a fan of the dude, but he cracks me up. And on a political speech scale, he gets an A for this interview.
Although I sometimes feel that his declarations, which I believe are mostly 'ga3ga3a' (how do you translate ga3ga3a? Let's say.. blabbering?) and for local consumption, he may not be aware the impact they may have. Saying that George Bush is terrorising nations is one thing, saying that the holocaust is a myth is another, and they deliver very different reactions within the western public.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaanyways, if you can't get enough of Hamada Ahmadinejad, check out his blog. Yes, i'm not joking.
And if your Persian skills are a little rusty, weep no more: Mahmood has it translated in English and in Arabic, and French is on its way.
And if you really like his blog, you can leave him a comment, which will be displayed on the homepage. And with your country's flag.
So if you are American, you may be able to put a little American flag on his webpage.
I'd be really curious to know if an Israeli could as well.. :)
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