Ahmadinejad denies existence of oppressive policies in Iran

While demonstrators in New York protested against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the representative of political oppression in Iran, Ahmadinejad insisted that political opposition in Iran is “completely free” to engage in its activities.

Associated Press reports that demonstrators covered their mouths with duct tape to protest against the oppressive policies of the Iranian government and the presence of Ahmadinejad in New York who is in the US to attend the UN General Assembly.

Ahmadinejad told Associated Press: “My election opponents are completely free and like other people are busy with their lives and activities.”

He added: “They express their opinions and views in complete freedom. There are no restrictions on legal activities and they can influence the society like the rest of the people; as long as it is all in the framework of the law.”

He insisted that the government has not imposed any restrictions on the political opposition but said: “They might however feel anxious about the popular atmosphere against them.”

In terms of Iran’s nuclear program, Ahmadinejad said that Iran’s nuclear activities are all under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also stressed that Iran will continue enriching uranium because the nuclear plant that will soon start operation will need 27 tons of 3.5 grade uranium.

He added: “Since we need twenty power plants like the Bushehr Power Plant, we will have to be able to produce the necessary uranium for these plants.”

In a meeting with Ban Ki-moon, Ahmadinejad spoke out against the veto rights of a number of states and proposed that the structure of the UN needs changes.

Ban Ki-moon also urged Iran to continue negotiations with the 5+1 group regarding its nuclear activities.

ISNA reports that in a meeting yesterday with a group of Iranian residents of the US, Ahmadinejad said: “There are two dominant views in the world today: the Iranian and the American.”

He added: “These two views are very different: while the American way of management is reaching its end, the Iranian way is just dawning.”