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CNN Today

Iranian President Khatami Pushes Agenda of Moderation, Dialogue Between Civilizations

Aired September 7, 2000 - 2:35 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: Iranian President Mohammed Khatami is among the leaders attending this Millennium Summit. Some leaders are using the three days of intense diplomacy to push their own agendas, of course.

CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour says the Iranian president is calling for moderation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): President Mohammed Khatami of Iran is at the United Nations again, promoting his idea of dialogue between civilizations.

Indeed, the president of the United States and the U.S. Secretary of State made a point of attending his speeches as a gesture of good will. But despite that, Khatami said the time is still not right for formal dialogue with the U.S. Government.

And for a president who was swept to power on the promise of reform and more freedoms at home, Khatami seemed to scale back those pledges and high expectations.

MOHAMMED KHATAMI, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): You see, the people in Iran have a certain understanding of their rights, but what they expect of -- could be more than what the government can offer at this point of time. As a result, there are various tensions, there are various conflicts.

AMANPOUR: With newspapers closed, journalists jailed, and reform under fierce attack, Khatami said that new freedoms must come slowly, and that Iran's Islamic system could never be turned into a secular, Western-style democracy.

(on camera): Mr. Khatami's tone is significantly more subdued since his first visit to the U.N. two years ago.

Back then, newly-elected president, he spoke of a new era of openness, democracy and detente in Iran. Now, he seems to be watching his back, as powerful Islamic conservatives seek to thwart his goals.

(voice-over): The clash between Islamic vigilantes and reformers has sporadically erupted onto the streets of Iran, and conservatives justify their crack-down, accusing the new Democrats of threatening national security and un-Islamic behavior.

President Khatami admits the two sides are on a collision course, and is calling for moderation.

KHATAMI (through translator): I will never be disloyal to the hopes and aspirations of our people. It is easy for me to sit back and have no responsibilities, but it is not easy for me to give up what I believe in.

AMANPOUR: Sources close to President Khatami say that he's looking towards the next presidential election in Iran, in the spring of 2001, and does not want to give hard-liners any excuse to kick him out of power before then.

Christiane Amanpour, CNN, at the United Nations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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