Iran's Ahmadinejad calls for 'face to face talks' with Obama
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday that he is ready to hold face to face talks with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on global developments at the upcoming UN General Assembly, the official IRNA news agency reported.
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Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gestures while speaking during the Great Congress of Iranians Abroad, in Tehran August 2, 2010.[Chinadaily.com.cn via Agencies] |
"I would like to declare my readiness to have face to face talks in the presence of world media with the U.S. president at the (upcoming) UN General Assembly," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.
Making the remarks in a meeting with Iranian expatriates in Tehran, he said "Iran calls for talks with the U.S. based on mutual respect and justice at the highest level," said IRNA.
The Iranian president has previously reiterated his readiness for public debates on international issues with U.S. President Barack Obama.
Elsewhere, Ahmadinejad slammed the Western powers for the sanctions they have imposed against Iran and accused them of hypocrisy, saying they have so many atomic bombs altogether and they still fear Iran for having one, according to local satellite Press TV.
EU foreign ministers on Monday approved tougher sanctions on Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, including restrictions on banking and insurance, transport, and investment in new oil and gas fields or technical assistance to oil and gas development.
On July 1, U.S. President Barack Obama signed a new Iran sanction bill into law, which was described by him as "striking at the heart" of Iranian government's nuclear ability.
Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad criticized what he called the West's double standards on supporting tyrannical systems in the world while pretending to promote democracy around the globe, said Press TV without further details.
Iran's president said the Islamic Republic seeks its due position in the management of the world without a military confrontation, the report said.
He identified the current global issues with the West's unilateralism and monopoly of power, saying "we are not afraid of expressing ourselves, yet we do not seek a military confrontation."
