Pelosi sees opening on Iran negotiations

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Monday welcomed a statement from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said that his country would react positively if the U.S. were to soften its stance toward Iran.

Pelosi, who appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” shortly after the network aired an exclusive interview with Ahmadinejad, said the comments she heard from the Iranian leader “represent an opening in terms of him saying he'll try to find common ground.”

{mosads}Ahmadinejad stated that he sees “new behavior shown by the United States and the officials of the United States.” Those remarks are seen as a reference to recent talks between U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns and diplomats from Iran and five other countries regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad stated that it remains to be seen whether the perceived new U.S. attitude toward Iran is “rooted in a new approach” or whether it is “a continuation in the confrontation with the Iranian people, but in a new guise.”

“If this is the continuation of the old process, well, the Iranian people needs to defend its right, its interests as well,” Ahmadinejad stated. “But if the approach changes, we will be facing a new situation, and the response by the Iranian people will be a positive one.”

Pelosi welcomed that statement, as well as the Bush administration’s decision to dispatch Burns to the talks.

“I think that is very important,” the Speaker said. “Remove all doubt or any excuse that he may have that there hasn’t been some engagement, some communication.”

Pelosi also stated, however, that she was “chilled” by Ahmadinejad’s “smirk and laughter when he was asked about the processing of nuclear materials.”