Ahmadinejad Launches Gambit to Make U.S. a Friend

Prior to addresses that both he and President Obama made before the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced his desire for the U.S. and Iran to view one another as friends rather than enemies. Ahmadinejad also noted that he wishes to engage in a "free and open" discussion of nuclear issues at next week’s meeting with major world powers, but steadfastly refused to negotiate on his country’s nuclear plans. The Iranian president also noted that he feels that it is incumbent on the U.S. and other major nuclear powers to give up their own nuclear weapons and that he wishes to engage in an open dialogue on the issue with the West.

But more interesting than anything else Ahmadinejad mentioned was his desire for a friendship between his country and the U.S. Noted the Iranian president, "I heard Mr. Obama saying the next threat is Iran. Iran is an opportunity for everyone. Historically, whoever made friends with Iran saw a lot of opportunities." During his interviews, Ahmadinejad repeatedly spoke in soft tones and calmly expressed his desire for better relations with Western countries.

Ahmadinejad also explicitly stated that his country is not building nuclear weapons. "I hope that Mr. Obama will move in the direction of change," said Ahmadinejad, borrowing a campaign slogan from the U.S. president. "The sources of insecurity around the world need to be discussed." Asked about three American hikers who are being held in Iran, Ahmadinejad noted that they three broke the law and illegally entered his country, but that he would ask the judge in the case to treat them with "maximum leniency."