MSNBC interview with president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (محمود احمدی‌نژاد) of Iran

A seven-minute video with president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (محمود احمدی‌نژاد,) of Iran was released today on MSNBC and is quite interesting. He seems much more relaxed than the last time he had an interview on American headline news in 2006. It's a much different atmosphere now of course, as George Bush's term is coming to an end quite soon, Iran is having elections in 2009 (where Admadinejad wants to be re-elected so appearing as presidential as possible is probably uppermost in his mind) and the first official talks were held between the two since 1979.

That's also a nice presidential palace. Also, no offense to Tehran but I'd rather walk the streets of Esfahan than Tehran if I had to choose only one.

“Today, we see new behavior shown by the United States […] My question is: is such behavior rooted in a new approach? In other words, mutual respect, cooperation and justice. Or is this approach a continuation in the confrontation with Iranian people but in a new guise?

“[…] If the approach changes, we will be facing a new situation, and the response from the Iranian people will be a positive one.”