Charm and Defiance

By Scott MacLeod, Nahid Siamdoust

TIME When you announced your candidacy, you said you had doubts about Iran's future. What did you mean?

RAFSANJANI We don't want to give the playing ground to the extremist elements. Those who persuaded me believed that a moderating current in charge in the country could improve our relations with the world. I believed in their logic.

TIME Many Iranians criticize you for not standing up with a louder voice for democracy in Iran. Are you in favor of democracy in Iran?

RAFSANJANI I certainly believe in democracy, but I believe we have to take this course step by step. But in Iran after the revolution, we have always had true democracy. Our constitution was also approved by the overwhelming vote of the people. Everything in Iran relies on the vote of the people. What else would be your definition of democracy besides this?

TIME What do you offer to the millions of young people who are impatient and unhappy?

RAFSANJANI We have to provide educational opportunities, think about their employment, provide them better conditions to marry if they'd like to. If they have views and opinions, they shouldn't have any problems expressing them.

TIME Would you be willing to extend a moratorium on Iran's nuclear development in exchange for improved cooperation and improved relations with the West?

RAFSANJANI No, we're not willing to suspend. But we're ready to provide greater assurances to the world that we won't move from peaceful nuclear technology to military technology. If we need time and negotiations for creating this confidence, we're prepared. Our key policy is that the world move toward total nuclear disarmament.

TIME Is it in Iran's interest to insist on your right to a fuel cycle even if it means being taken to the U.N. Security Council?

RAFSANJANI I don't see any reason why the international community should take us to the Security Council just because we're trying to apply our own rights. If that is what you think, then you must interpret the world as very brutal. Now, if they do take such drastic actions, it won't be just Iran that will lose. Others will lose as well.

TIME You were known for sending one of your relatives to discuss the possibility of normalizing relations with the U.S. President Reagan once sent you a Bible. Does that say something about your approach to dealing with the U.S.?

RAFSANJANI This means that we don't have any problems with the people and the country of the United States. Whenever there has been an opportunity for reasonable cooperation, we've seized it. It was America that initiated the cutting of relations with Iran. [In '86] we made a limited agreement with them for receiving weapons in return for freeing hostages. But even there, the Americans behaved badly and messed up the game.

TIME Are you the statesman to take the initiative and break out of the cold war with the U.S.?

RAFSANJANI I think if the U.S. comes along, it is possible to end hostilities. [The U.S.] has to take a serious step that indicates its goodwill for cooperation.