Iranian President hits back at Bush

Source: alalam.ir, 11-06-2008
TEHRAN-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed out at US President George W. Bush's for threats against Iran, saying the US could not hurt "even one centimeter" of Iran's territory.
Ahmadinejad openly mocked what he said was Bush's desire for military action against Tehran amid failed US efforts to muster enough momentum to corner the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program.

He said in a televised speech in the city of Shahr-e Kord: "I tell Bush ... that your era has ended and thank God you will not be able to damage even one centimeter of the holy land of Iran."
He added "If the enemy thought they could break the Iranian nation with pressure they are wrong. "The Iranian nation ... will wipe the smile off its face."
Ahmadinejad said Bush wanted to attack Iran but had been scared off by objections from military commanders.

"I have precise news that one of this man's (Bush's) wishes... is to strike us," said Ahmadinejad.
"He argued with US military commanders to first use missiles and bombs. They told him it is not possible. Then he said 'let's make a sonic boom over an Iranian city'... but this also could not happen."
Ahmadinejad said that Bush was still "itching to pinch and punch the Iranian nation."
Following a summit with officials from the EU and Slovenia, which holds the 27-nation bloc's rotating presidency, Bush called on Iran to halt uranium enrichment in exchange for comprehensive relations with the international community.

Bush swept into Germany Tuesday, looking to prod Chancellor Angela Merkel in whirlwind talks to further cut back Berlin's lucrative ties with Tehran over its nuclear drive.
Iran has defied three rafts of UN Security Council sanctions for turning down calls to abandon the enrichment, saying the country is entitled to the nuclear work as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Iran issue is shaped by Germany's lucrative exports to Iran -- 4.4 billion euros ($6.8 billion) in 2005, 4.2 billion in 2006, and 3.6 billion in 2007, according to the German statistics office.
Iran stresses putting a moratorium on its uranium enrichment is non-negotiable. It also says the country's nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, including generation of electricity for a growing population.