Ahmadinejad yet to hear from Obama

USA: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was disappointed at not receiving clear signals by his U.S. counterpart on improving relations between the two countries, ABC television reported on Sunday.

In an interview by ABC correspondent George Stephanopoulos in Tehran on Wednesday, President Ahmadinejad complained that Barack Obama did not directly respond to his message of congratulations on winning the US presidential election.

"I sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Obama. This was a major decision, although the Iranian people were very much dismayed with the conduct of previous U.S. administrations," said Ahmadinejad. "And I was criticized here at home in Iran. Nevertheless, I did that. I am yet to receive a response," he said in the interview, which was broadcast on Sunday.

The Iranian dismissed Obama's recent goodwill gesture on improving relations with Tehran.

"We have welcomed such comments.

But an administration which, up until yesterday, was saying that I'm going to kill you, and today says that I'm not going to kill you, is that sufficient?"

"We are calling for peace and security for all. We would like international relations to be based on just this and friendship," he said. "Wherever a hostile relationship turns into friendship, that would make us happy."

Washington, Monday, Xinhua