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A. But they gave medals and decorations to the commander who gave orders to shoot down our Airbus.* Iran has suffered from terrorism more than any other country. We know that terrorism does not serve our interests, neither domestically nor internationally.
We have respect for Hizballah as concerns the liberation of their land occupied by Israel. But if Hizballah commits terrorist acts, we do not accept that, and we condemn it. As for involvement in terrorism by the Iranian government, if you can show one piece of evidence, please make it known to everybody. We should all cooperate to prevent terrorism.
Q. The Speaker of your parliament said recently that Iran would not send anyone to track down Salman Rushdie.
A. That is definitely so.
Q. But an Iranian foundation put money on Rushdie's head.
A. That's not the government; that's a charity foundation.
Q. But if the fatwa ((the religious decree condemning Rushdie to death)) cannot be lifted, Rushdie is reduced to a life of perpetual fear -- to no life at all.
A. This is prescribed by an Islamic law that has been in existence for a thousand years. Even if the Imam ((Ayatullah Khomeini)) had not pronounced a fatwa, it could have been traced in the books of great Islamic scholars. It is written that anyone cursing the Prophet is condemned to death. If there hadn't been such a hue and cry ((in the West)), I think the matter might have been over in a year.
Q. What is your vision of a strong Iran -- a great military power?
A. In reconstructing Iran, we are trying to make better use of our resources. We do not intend to become a big military power in the region. We only want regional defensive strength and good relations with our neighbors.
Q. Can you trust the Iraqi government as long as Saddam is in power?
A. I don't think we can have good cooperation because we have not seen any goodwill on Saddam's part. We have several thousand prisoners of war in Iraq, for instance. We know their names. We have evidence of their presence, but Iraq does not respond to our requests.
Q. You've been critical of the Arab-Israeli peace talks. What's the alternative? More conflict?
A. As a result of what Israel has done, a nation, the people of Palestine, has been ruined; about 4 million Palestinians are refugees throughout the world. We do not consider it right that Palestinians should forever be deprived of returning to their homeland. We don't say that "you who have come to Israel should leave this land." The world should adopt a position that would allow Palestinians to return to their homeland and create a system in which people can live freely together. If there is not enough room for everybody, priority should be given to Palestinians, not to Jews who are being taken to Israel.
Q. Could Iran accept the idea of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank?