Kim Bildsoe Lassen, a Danish journalist from the Public Service TV station Danmarks Radio interviewed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shortly before he was to arrive in Copenhagen for the COP15 summit. English subtitles not part of original broadcast. Full transcript in English provided below. This is likely to change how you feel about Iran.
http://youtu.be/8z81GVHI1_I
http://youtu.be/5aJli5XcOVI
http://youtu.be/TCLSpaUmUdk
http://youtu.be/15NwDX7fEhQ
| Transcript of YouTube video 1
Kim Bildsoe Lassen: First of all Mr. President, thank you very much for taking your time, and letting us coming here to your office, and speak to you about the world and important matters. And eh, if we can begin with exactly how you look at the world. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: You have asked a very difficult question. I think that is the basis of all other questions. How do we look at the world? I think the world is very beautiful, God created a beautiful world. He created mankind to live beautiful lives. He would want people to love each other. That they would create brotherhood and justice among themselves. God has not created mankind to be unjust towards each other. To injure each others rights. To humiliate each other. To commit terror, to engage in actions which destroy the security and identity of others. God wants people to create a beautiful world. We don’t think this objective has been reached. For several reasons. We can look at the situation in the world. There is distrust. There is war and occupation. There is the desire to conquer. Some feel they are better than others. And they want to have more rights than others. They don’t respect others. They create wars. They send their armies and occupy territory of others. They are not even compassionate towards the environment. You can see what problems there are with the climate. We think it can be helped. The conditions for this are to recreate justice and respect for others. Kim Bildsoe Lassen: But when you say that it, maybe obvious for me that you are talking about America. What do you think should be done today about America? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: We think the government of the USA should change for the better. Everywhere where there are problems the US is present. Why is that? America has a geographical territory. They have to live in their own territory. Who says America should rule the world? Can you tell us what they are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan? Do you know how many have been killed? Hundreds of thousands. Every one of them was a human being, with families and big wishes. Kim Bildsoe Lassen: but the Danish government and the Danish soldiers are also in Afghanistan, do you also think we are making a great mistake? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Of course! The situation has not become any better since NATO went into Afghanistan. Do you think that the situation is better than seven years ago? Every day people die! It is not important who is being killed. Afghanis, Danes, Americans or English. The importance is that people are being killed. The security situation has not improved. The narcotics situation has not improved either. Terrorism is not under control either. On the contrary, it has spread to Pakistan. Don’t you think this strategy has been wrong? We think it has been wrong. There are No military solutions for the human problems.. [End of part 1 of 4] Transcript of video 2 (Ahmadinejad only) Humane solutions are needed. It can be resolved without loss of human life. We have not said that they should be destroyed When have we said that America and Denmark should be destroyed? We have said that NATOpolicies in Afghanistan are wrong. And these policies have ledto a situation which is worse. And these policies should be reconsidered There are humane solutions. Why use a military solution? Why kill people? What we are saying is in the interests of Denmark and America It is in NATO’s interest. Let me tell you one more thing. NATO doesn’t know our area. We also don’t know Denmark’s internal situation. Is it you or us who has the best solutions to Denmarks problems? You don’t know the area, and therefore make the wrong decicions. And your wrong decisions cause loss of human life. Which is the worst that can happen. If the US and NATO had the correct historical information They would not have gone into Afghanistan During the last 100 yearsAfghanistan has been occupied three times. A hundred years ago, the British occupied the country. A hundred years ago, England was a world empire. England’s power was greaterthan the power of the US today. Its power was even greater than NATO’s power today. Could Britain stay in Afghanistan and be victorious? They left Afghanistan humiliated But they hurt the Afghan people Many of their soldiers were killed 35 years ago, the Russians came to Afghanistan. Where is the Soviet Union today? Where is the Soviet Union today? Did the Soviet Army gain victory? How can NATO believe, they can be victorious in Afghanistan? Historical experience says they will fail! And the last seven years have also shown that it ends with failure. Now Iran tells them that they are making a mistake. Should they thank, or attack Iran for that? We don’t need their gratitude. We think they should act differently. Short edited version Transcript Part 1: (Kim Bildsoe Lassen only transcribed partly) Kim Bildsoe Lassen: I would like to ask you a very forward frank question… Would you like to have a nuclear bomb? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad What do you think yourself? Do you think a bomb is a good thing? Would you like Denmark to have one? Kim Bildsoe Lassen: I don’t know but I know… Mahmoud Ahmadinejad You are a person, and I am a person, we are having a dialogue now. We think atomic bombs are a bad thing. What are atomic bombs used for? To kill others.. We are against killing other people. Kim Bildsøe Lassen: But somebody would also say it’s also for security… Mahmoud Ahmadinejad We have enemies, but we don’t need atomic bombs. There are two reasons for this.
The first has to do with the atomic bomb. We think it is the most inhuman weapon in history. Because they kill many people. It is not meant for defense, but for attack. So the first reason is the bomb itself. Our religion causes us to be against the atomic bomb. That’s why we say the world must be disarmed. The bombs of the nuclear powers are at this moment a threat to mankind. But there is also another reason, which is secondary Today, is there anybody who can use the bomb? And if they use it, will it then give them the upper hand?
Can bombs save anybody? Could the a-bomb save the Soviet Union? So you can tell me, the whole world, and all viewers in Denmark and Europe (subtitles missing?) (subtitles missing?) Today the atomic bomb has lost its purpose. Those who think the a-bomb gives power, are politically retarded. Kim Bildsoe Lassen: So you can say to me, to all the people in Denmark and in Europe watching, that you will never engage in creating an atomic bomb? You can just say no. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad I gave you a clear answer to your question. I want you to be aware of to whom you’re talking. We speak clearly and direct. I want it to be completely clear. Kim Bildsøe Lassen: I Know, I just want to be very clear Mahmoud Ahmadinejad It was not directed at you, but at all the viewers. Whatever we do, we have the courage to say it. We said we would begin enriching Uranium, and we did. We said we would start a production, and we did.. We said we didn’t fear resolutions, and we didn’t. We said we didn’t accept unjust resolutions, and we didn’t. And we said we would build 10 new enrichment plants and we will also do that. Kim Bildsoe Lassen: There has been since your reelection.. demonstrations in the streets.. End transcript part 1
Transcript part 2: Kim Bildsoe Lassen: Since you have been reelected there have been demonstrators in the streets. Some have called them also lately, for traitors, that they don’t understand Iran. Do you think that the young people on the street demonstrating, making trouble will some say, that they are traitors? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: We should keep things apart from each other.
The elections in Iran, are very free. It is the highest imaginable degree of freedom. We don’t have a party based system. It is a free government. Very close to the people. We had a very high turnout at the elections. 85% that’s unique. Then there were some who came with protests. That’s very natural. Kim Bildsoe Lassen: Do you think that young people in Iran today have the freedom to express their opinions? That as you see it that there is the freedom for the young people, for the people who want to express their meaning [opinions] in Iran today that is fair and just? And the people that are saying, we have, we are being pressed by the police, by the secret police, that they are wrong? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: I said the law rules in Iran. Wouldn’t the police in Denmark interfere when somebody crosses the street when the lights are red? Wouldn’t the police do that? The police must maintain peace and order. But the police acts inside the boundaries of the law, And the Courts keep an eye in the police. Everybody must uphold the law. Protests also have to happen inside the boundaries of the law. You have probably seen the demonstrations in Copenhagen the day before yesterday. Kim Bildsøe Lassen: (Nods) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Why did the police take action against the demonstrators? Mace [tear gas], batons, why did the police do that? That’s because there is law and order in Denmark. People are free to protest, but they have to respect the law, they have to. What happened in Copenhagen, also was what happened in Teheran. Kim Bildsoe Lassen: Now you go to Denmark, and you go as President Ahmadinejad, I think a lot of people in Denmark only know you as that, and maybe if you could tell a little bit about the man Ahmadinejad. What are the things that you enjoy most in life? I know that you are a religious man, but beside that, where do you find your energy and where do you find your inspiration? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Can you tell me why you are here? Why did you travel so far? You must have had a tough trip; you have been 5 to 6 hours in the air.
Kim Bildsoe Lassen: To get to know you better. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: You probably have good intentions. I think that if one loves people, being tired doesn’t mean anything.’ Kim Bildsoe Lassen: I’m sorry if I’m being trivial, but I’m also wondering, are you sort of a person who likes to come home late, and watch a film with your family or take a walk with your wife and your kids.. How do you find pleasure beside working and saving the world? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Yes, I do all of these things. I have a warm family. We talk every evening.. we also watch films, but not every evening. We read books and speak with each other. We go out for walks and visit our relatives and friends. We practice sports, Kim Bildsoe Lassen: Do you have a favorite film? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: I normally watch Iranian films Kim Bildsoe Lassen: Mr. President thank you very much, we look forward to seeing you in Denmark, and wish you a pleasant trip to Denmark and we, I guess I look forward to see you. Thank you very much. Michael Jarlner (Danish journalist sitting next to Lassen): Yes, thank you for meeting us. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: Inshallah, and greet the Danish people from me. Thank you, thank you very much.. End of transcript part 2. |
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I am not a Muslim, but if I were I would swear Ahmadinejad is the new Mahdi….
After this interview there can be absolutely no more doubt anymore about the peaceful intentions of the gentle Iranian president, who will be honoring us all by his coming visit to the Copenhagen Climate Hoax Summit.
In the conversation about the event with another journalist, Kim Bildoe Lassen said that he had never seen such pitch black eyes. Eyes he said, which certainly would have the ability to frighten some people.
