America is criticized around the world for Guantanamo Bay. What about repression in Iran? You are cracking down on political opponents, on academics and on doctors with clinical approval to treat AIDS patients. What are you afraid of?
These are what the Zionists and the U.S. government say. They are not true; they do not happen. In Iran, freedom is absolute, and it is the law that rules. Our judicial procedures are among the most advanced around the world. When I hold press conferences, everyone is there to freely ask their questions. Even academics can freely speak in the presence of our leader and criticize.
So there is no one in jail for their political beliefs?
We really don't need this kind of thing; we are a government which 98% of the people back and support.
How much are you going to miss President Bush on the world scene?
Of course, I am very much against measures taken by Mr. Bush. He could have avoided war. Do you know that over 1 million people in Iraq have been killed or wounded and hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan? What for? Because Mr. Bush wants to have power basically over the Middle East. For the sake of the American people? No, not really. Just for the interest of a few capitalists.
Does Iran feel or have any reservations about the possibility of a deal between Syria and Israel, in which Syria would get back the Golan Heights but in return would expel Hezbollah from its territory?
We welcome any part of the occupied lands that are freed. We believe that the freedom of the Golan Heights is exactly what the Zionist regime does not want. And we think it is very unlikely that it will happen as a result of the negotiations.
The regime resembles an airplane that has lost its engine and is kind of going down. And no one can help it. This will benefit everyone -- more than anyone, the American people. Because in the name of the American people, this regime is carrying out crimes, crimes that fill the pockets of capitalists, for which the American people pay.
