Would you support the United States if it goes to war against Saddam Hussein?
We are basically against a military operation against Iraq. Of course it all depends. If Americans are going to attack Iraq unilaterally, we certainly would not be supportive. In the case that Iraq does not comply [with U.N. resolutions] and the Security Council would authorize using force against Iraq, it would be a different story. But basically we cannot agree with the U.S. policy to use force in order to change the regime of another country.
I don’t know how to put this delicately, but I can’t imagine that you would be too sad to see Saddam Hussein go.
It is a matter of principle. We have the United Nations system. We believe that this is the right of people in each country to decide about their future, not others from the outside.
The Ayatollah Khomeini wanted to replace Saddam in the 1980s.
This is completely different. At that time Iraq had invaded Iran. We do not see Iraq invading the United States. The United States does not like the regime of Iraq. But the United States does not have any legitimate right to change it.
There have been reports that Al Qaeda members are in Iraq.
In the northern area there are some groups associated with Al Qaeda. The leader was arrested recently at the Meerabad [Iran] airport when he was trying to come to Iran illegally. He was sent to Amsterdam [where he was detained].
Do the Iraqis have weapons of mass destruction?
They have chemical weapons. They have used them against us. The inspectors will have to [determine] if there is a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction or not.
Surely you think that those weapons should be eliminated.
Yes, sure. That is [also] the concern we have about Israel because it has nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and we believe that the Middle East should be free from any weapons of mass destruction.
But let’s face it, Israel hasn’t been dropping chemical weapons on Iran.
No, not yet.
Why do you back Hizbullah, a terrorist group fighting Israel?
Hizbullah is a legitimate party in the Lebanese political system that has been resisting occupation.
Why in the world would you send a boat loaded with arms, the Karine A, to Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat?
Who says that we sent that?
The United States government.
This is an example of a United States government claim that is not substantiated. In fact we as the government of Iran have been asking everyone if there is any evidence to prove that this ship was loaded in Iran. But all the information was from Israeli sources. One has to be very simple-minded to fill up a ship with arms manufactured in Iran and send it to Palestine under the eyes of satellites.
What are your relations now with Yasir Arafat?
I know that Arafat has not been doing a good job. This is for sure.
He has not been doing a good job how?
He has not been strong enough and he has been humiliated by the Israelis. There are differences among Palestinians themselves. Not all people support him. But still he is the president of Palestine.
Do you support suicide bombings?
I don’t like these sorts of questions.
It is a pretty big issue.
No, this is not the way to interview. If you have any meaningful questions I will let you ask [them].
Do you recognize the right of Israel to exist as a state?
We do not recognize Israel as a government. We believe that eventually Palestinian refugees have to return to their homeland. Under the supervision of the United Nations, there should be a referendum and the original inhabitants of that land, including Palestinians, Jews and Christians, should decide about any political entity to be established.
How would you describe your relations with the United States?
Although Iran played a very important and constructive role in Afghanistan, right after the Afghanistan crisis President Bush came up with the notion of the “Axis of Evil.” He accused us of supporting Al Qaeda, which was not true. Recently, the president asked the people of Iran to rise up against the government. All of this has been intervention in the affairs of Iran, which has been totally rejected by the Iranian people.
