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Article: Iran's president changes tune: `We do not need United States'
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- January 21, 1998
CopyrightCopyright 1998 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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TEHRAN, Iran The Iranian president has criticized America anew,
saying his people do "not need the United States to come close to
us."
Mohammad Khatami's remarks were in sharp contrast to his
overture to the American people earlier this month in which he called
for "dialogue and understanding."
That overture, unprecedented for an Iranian leader since the
1979 Islamic Revolution, has highlighted divisions between moderate
and hard-line factions within the government.
It was unclear whether Khatami's statements Monday reflected
Iranian disappointment that the United States was not more receptive
to his overture or if it was an attempt to deflect criticism from
hard-liners.
The United ...