Transcript: ‘Response ... will be a positive one’

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Will's feat- and will anything derail this train?

‘We think that the market should be free’
WILLIAMS: Mr. President, what do you think is a fair price for a barrel of oil?

AHMADINEJAD: Well, a fair price — this has to be determined inside the environs, if I can use the word, of economy. We think that the market should be free and — these commodities should compete in a free setting or conditions. At the moment, the situation is not realistic. It is rather manufactured and the prices are not realistic as a result.

WILLIAMS: Can you specify how much, by percentage, it is overvalued right now, unrealistically?

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AHMADINEJAD: Well, I can’t give you an exact figure right now because the market is not a real market. Some powers are manipulating the prices inside the market. Do you really think that the price of oil is the end result of a healthy competition inside the market? It’s not.

WILLIAMS: Where do you see future of Iraq, near term, the next few years?

AHMADINEJAD: Well, in a long-term approach, I believe that the Iraqi people will overcome, prevail over, in other words, their present problems. But in the immediate future, everything depends on the behavior as shown by the American government. If the American government and officials take up a rational, a humanitarian approach, the conditions inside Iraq will improve very quickly.

But if not, if they want to impose their will on the nation of Iraq, historical precedence tells them that they will not abide by this. And they will resist. Under such conditions, obviously the Iraqi people will incur some damages. But by the end of the day, they will prevail. They will succeed. But the main damages will be incurred by those parties which decided to disrespect the Iraqi nation.

WILLIAMS: Because you follow the news media in the United States and elsewhere, I know you’re aware that analysts who study Iran believe that you want is a list of items. You would like a discussion of all kinds of items and issues — the full spectrum — what has been called the grand bargain. True or false?

AHMADINEJAD: Well, you have to appreciate. I don’t even like the word a — a — a contract, if you will, or a deal would be a better translation. What is there for us to bargain over? Over our own right? The rights of other peoples? Our own independence? No. In an environment — we can cooperate in an environment which benefits all. All will benefit from such a environment.

And there is no need for any party to lose out. In a fair setting, everyone will benefit. And durable peace and security will prevail, will come to exist. I believe that all issues must be approached in a holistic manner. They are interrelated, these issues. All issues around the world are interrelated for that matter. Economy, politics, security are very closely linked, also culture.

WILLIAMS: How closely have you been following the presidential campaign in the United States?

AHMADINEJAD: Well, in a normal manner, if I can use the words, just the stories that the newspapers, the media are carrying.

WILLIAMS: Do you welcome the idea of an American Interests Section in Iran and how would you feel about the establishment of a full and complete United States embassy?

AHMADINEJAD: Well, at the moment, an interests section is — open. It’s running right now. An American interests section is, again, operating in Tehran. The Swiss Embassy is doing that. But any measure which leads to the development of relations between the two peoples, we will welcome that.

WILLIAMS: Mr. President, again respectfully, when Americans say they want to talk to the real power in Iran, is that person you or the religious leader of this country Ayatollah Khamenei? And as a part of that question, will you be victorious in next year’s election?

AHMADINEJAD: Inside the U.S., who makes the decisions? Really? Who makes the decisions? Do you know that, sir? Does the President make the decisions or others? Do you not know that?

WILLIAMS: Today, my role is not to answer questions, is to ask them. But I am curious to see where this is going, Mr. President.

AHMADINEJAD: Well, the process of decision making inside Iran is very clear. We have a very transparent set of laws. And the — and the decisions are very clear and the powers are very clear as well. And different officials take decisions within the realms of their responsibility.

CONTINUED : ‘We will repeat these exercises’

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