Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad says he's ready to hold direct negotations with U.S. President George W. Bush. Ahmadinejad was quoted on the website of Iranian state-run, Arabic-language Al-Alam television as saying he is ready to negotiate with Bush about U.S.-Iranian bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues.
The Iranian leader said he wanted any talks with Bush to be attended by the media.
Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said the United States remains ready for discussions with Iran if Tehran first meets international demands to stop uranium enrichment and reprocessing.
Johndroe called on Ahmadinejad to halt uranium enrichment, "instead of offering televised debates or a media spectacle."
Iran has repeatedly rejected demands to halt uranium enrichment, despite United Nations Security Council sanctions that have been imposed on the Islamic republic. Iran denies trying to make nuclear weapons, and says all its nuclear activities are legal.
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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