Monday, May 25, 2009

Iran's Ahmadinejad Reaches Out to Obama

BBC: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says if he is re-elected next month he wants to have a face-to-face meeting with US President Barack Obama.

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Ahmadinejad says he wants to discuss global issues with world leaders. Photo courtesy of the BBC

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he wanted to debate global issues with Barack Obama at the new UN session in September.

But he added that Iran would not discuss its nuclear programme outside the framework of the UN nuclear agency's regulations.

In March, Mr Obama said he was seeking engagement with Iran.

Global issues

Speaking to foreign journalists, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran would never abandon its advances in uranium enrichment in exchange for western offers to ease sanctions or other economic incentives.

The nuclear issue "is closed", he told a press conference in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

So Mr Obama's hopes for a new and constructive dialogue with Iran on the nuclear issue look as far away as ever, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran. >>> | Monday, May 25, 2009