Ahmadinejad declared that "lies and deceits are forms of oppressing mankind." He added, "tribal and ethnic violence are being imposed by powerful groups." Ahmadinejad also stated that the "role of the press is very important" and that the "role of the press is to disseminate moral behavior and purity of thinking . . . and not the dissemination of hatred, impurity, and insecurity." A large Fox News contingent attended Ahmadinejad's address.

Ahmadinejad stressed, once again, that "powerful groups believe in controlling the free flow of information."

In answer to a question about religious oppression of Bahais in Iran, Ahmadinejad stated that Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism are officially and constitutionally recognized "divine" religions in Iran.

When asked about the arrest of protesters in Iran, Ahmadinejad said that recently a group of college students protested him at a university appearance in Iran. He said he spoke with the students and they are walking around free today.

Answering a question about a supposed statement he made about Iran filling a power vacuum in Iraq once the United States departs, Ahmadinejad responded that he was misquoted, something he indicated happens all too frequently in the Western media. The Iranian leader said that he stated in the past that Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other regional countries are able to fill in the power vacuum and they "don't need the presence of others to arrive at security . . . [and that] no outside guardian is needed."

Upon being asked a question about U.S. military reports that American forces in Iraq have discovered the presence of Iranian weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, in Iraq, Ahmadinejad brusquely responded that the "U.S. military should seek an explanation for its defeat in Iraq elsewhere."

On Iran's nuclear program, Ahmadinejad stressed that Iran is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that two years ago, before the United Nations, he proposed international civilian oversight of Iran's nuclear program. He asked, "Why should Iran tie its future to another country, the United States?"

Ahmadinejad was also asked about the recent comment by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that the world should prepare for war against Iran. The Iranian leader responded, "the U.S. and France don't speak for the world." He added, "talk of war is a propaganda tool . . . France is a very cultured society . . . the Foreign Minister needs more experience in his position and then he will talk with a higher level of maturity." That response brought a round of laughter from the well-attended press conference.

On Iran's refusal to recognize Israel, Ahmadinejad said that "Iran does not recognize Israel because it's based on discrimination. Last week, it attacked Syria. Last year, it attacked Lebanon. They discriminate, kill, and displace people."

On his prior comments about the Holocaust, Ahmadinejad raised two questions. He said "since the Holocaust is a reality, why not do more research on it?" He also asked, "since the Holocaust happened in Europe, why should the Palestinian people pay the damage by giving up their lands?"

Ahmadinejad was also asked about the refusal by New York City authorities for him to visit Ground Zero. He responded that he wanted to go to the site last year and express his sympathies. He also stated he received an official invitation this year to speak at Columbia University. He said some press circles "provoked the people." He said this was sad to watch. Ahmadinejad reiterated that he opposes the way the U.S. proposed to "manage the world" and that it "goes against the grain of freedom of speech and freedom of information" to deny people the right to hear him speak. Ahmadinejad also held out an invitation to George Bush. He said he would "welcome Bush to talk to the Iranian people."

On the 1979 U.S. hostage crisis in Iran, Ahmadinejad said he "didn't want to return to the past" because to do so would also raise the specter of 25 years of the United States' record in Iran, support for the Shah's dictatorship, and defending Saddam in an eight year war with Iran." It was better to "look to the future," Ahmadinejad stressed.

On his future political plans, Ahmadinejad did not rule out seeking another term as president.

A small group of protesters were on hand at the front entrance of the National Press Club. Inside the press club ballroom, there were no incidents and the media was polite and respectful. Ahmadinejad, on a few occasions, was adamant that reports of Iranian being jailed and journalists being sentenced to death were news to him. When asked the names of two journalists in Iran who were sentenced to death, National Press Club president Jerry Zremski was hard pressed to tell him their names. After receiving the names from a representative of Reporters Without Borders and passing them on to the Iranian leader, Ahmadinejad said he never heard of the two individuals.

It should be stated that neither President Bush nor Vice President Cheney have ever, while in office, made themselves available to the National Press Club for questions from the media.