Iran's president said Wednesday he is ready to build a new relationship with the United States and is preparing new proposals aimed at breaking the impasse with the West over his country's nuclear program. "The Iranian nation is a generous nation. It may forget the past and start a new era, but any country speaking on the basis of selfishness will get the same response the Iranian nation gave to Mr. Bush," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told thousands in the southeastern city of Kerman.
According to the AP, he spoke a day after the Obama administration said its immediate goal was to get Iran back to nuclear negotiations.
Ahmadinejad said "circumstances have changed" — an apparent reference to Obama's election. The Iranian leader said his nation welcomes dialogue provided it is based on justice and respect, suggesting the West should not try to force it to halt enrichment.
"Today we are preparing a new package. Once it becomes ready, we will present that package (to you)," the president said. "It is a package that constitutes peace and justice throughout the globe and also respects other nations' rights." Ahmadinejad boasted that Iran was the one that forced Washington to retreat from its position.
"You know well that today you are suffering from weaknesses. You have no choice. You can't make any progress through bullying policies. I advise you to change and correct your tone and respect other nations' rights," he said.
