spiraltrance
28-01-2009, 11:50 AM
Looks like Obama has already dropped himself in it :-
Iranian leader demands US apology
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - 15/1/2009
Mr Ahmadinejad's remarks were the first since Mr Obama took office
Iran's president has welcomed the possibility of a change in US foreign policy but demanded an apology for past US "crimes" committed against Iran.
The US "stood against the Iranian people in the past 60 years," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said during an address in the western region of Khermenshah.
"Those who speak of change must apologise to the Iranian people and try to repair their past crimes," he said.
The White House has offered to extend a hand if Iran "unclenched its fist".
President Barack Obama discussed the possibility of a softening of US policy towards Iran in an interview recorded with a Saudi-owned Arabic TV network on Monday.
"When they say 'we want to make changes', change can happen in two ways," Mr Ahmadinejad said.
"First is a fundamental and effective change... The second ... is a change of tactics. It is very clear that, if the meaning of change is the second one, this will soon be revealed," he said.
The remarks are the first Iranian comment on the US since Mr Obama took office eight days ago.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran describes it as one of Mr Ahmadinejad's strongest tirades against the US.
Our correspondent says we may see twists and turns out of Iran as its leaders work out whether Mr Obama is offering real changes and whether they are prepared to offer real changes in return.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7855444.stm
Iranian leader demands US apology
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - 15/1/2009
Mr Ahmadinejad's remarks were the first since Mr Obama took office
Iran's president has welcomed the possibility of a change in US foreign policy but demanded an apology for past US "crimes" committed against Iran.
The US "stood against the Iranian people in the past 60 years," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said during an address in the western region of Khermenshah.
"Those who speak of change must apologise to the Iranian people and try to repair their past crimes," he said.
The White House has offered to extend a hand if Iran "unclenched its fist".
President Barack Obama discussed the possibility of a softening of US policy towards Iran in an interview recorded with a Saudi-owned Arabic TV network on Monday.
"When they say 'we want to make changes', change can happen in two ways," Mr Ahmadinejad said.
"First is a fundamental and effective change... The second ... is a change of tactics. It is very clear that, if the meaning of change is the second one, this will soon be revealed," he said.
The remarks are the first Iranian comment on the US since Mr Obama took office eight days ago.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran describes it as one of Mr Ahmadinejad's strongest tirades against the US.
Our correspondent says we may see twists and turns out of Iran as its leaders work out whether Mr Obama is offering real changes and whether they are prepared to offer real changes in return.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7855444.stm