May 5, 2010
SOURCE: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/transcript-george-stephanopoulos-interviews-iranian-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad/story?id=10558442
STEPHANOPOULOS: One final question. There's a new
documentary out that says that Osama Bin
Laden is living in Tehran.
And the subject of the documentary, a man named Alan Parrot, one of the
world's foremost falconers living in Iran, says he's spoken to Osama
bin Laden several times since 2003. Is Osama bin Laden in Tehran?
AHMADINEJAD: Your question is laughable.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Why?
AHMADINEJAD: The U.S. government has invaded
Afghanistan in order to arrest Bin Laden. They probably know where Bin
Laden is. If they don't know he is, why did they invade? Could we know
the intelligence?
STEPHANOPOULOS: I think if they knew, they would find
him. They would get him.
AHMADINEJAD: First they should have tried to find his
location, then invade, those who did not know about his location first
they invaded and then they tried to find out where he is, is that
logical? Do you think this is logical?
STEPHANOPOULOS: What I think is that you didn't answer
my question. Is he in Tehran or not?
AHMADINEJAD: Our position is quite clear. Some
journalists have said Bin Laden is in Iran. These words don't have
legal value. Our position towards Afghanistan and against terrorism is
quite clear.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Is it true or not?
AHMADINEJAD: Maybe you know, but I don't know.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'm asking you. You're the President
of Iran.
AHMADINEJAD: I don't know such a thing, you are giving
news which is very strange.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So, let me ask it a different way. If
you did know that Osama bin Laden was in Tehran, would you show him
hospitality? Would you expel him? Would you arrest him?
AHMADINEJAD: I heard that Osama bin Laden is in the
Washington, D.C.
STEPHANOPOULOS: No, you didn't.
AHMADINEJAD: Yes, I did. He's there. Because he was a
previous partner of Mr. Bush. They were colleagues in fact in the old
days. You know that. They were in the oil business together. They
worked together. Mr. Bin Laden never cooperated with Iran but he
cooperated with Mr. Bush--
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'll ask one more time and then I'll
let you go. If you knew that Osama bin Laden was in Tehran, which you
say you don't. If you knew, would you expel him? Would you arrest him?
Would you show him hospitality?
AHMADINEJAD: Our borders, our borders are closed to the
illegal entry of anyone. Anyone who that may be. Whether it's the
three American mountaineers, Mr. Bin Laden or anyone else. The borders
are closed. Our position is clear.
I'm quite surprised, to see that you adjust your daily lives based on
the news that is being broadcast. I'm concerned that the government of
the United States takes positions based on such news. If it is so, it
is too bad. The news must be accurate and accountable, otherwise it
will disrupt the relations between the nations. Just like this, did the
government of the United States knew about the location of Mr. Bin
Laden? And you said, "No, they went to find out." Well, first you
locate--
STEPHANOPOULOS: They lost the trail.
AHMADINEJAD: --to find out they have invaded
Afghanistan. First they have to find out his location and then invade.
It's like for a judge to arrest someone and then go after the evidence.
STEPHANOPOULOS: But you deny categorically that he's in
Tehran today? He is not-- Osama bin Laden is not in Tehran today?
AHMADINEJAD: Rest assured that he's in Washington. I
think there's a high chance he's there.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I don't agree.
Thank you for your time, Mr. President.