NEW YORK, Sept 24: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday dispelled “talk of war” in the region and rejected any effort to compromise Iran’s nuclear “activities” saying it is Iran’s right under the international law.

Speaking to a gathering of New York press club member and later at a Columbia University faculty Iran’s President pointed out “We are a member of the IAEA, (International Atomic Engird Agency) and the powers of the IAEA explicitly grant us that right.”

“Why do you think the US administration, the government, which is a member of the IAEA, should have more rights over Iran, which is also a member of the IAEA? If there is law, international law, it’s equal for everyone. Why is it that some people want more rights for themselves?”, Ahmadinejad asked rhetorically.

Asked as to why Iran does not agree to a civilian nuclear partnership, Mr

Ahmadinejad said: “Two years ago, I made the same proposal you just referred to in the United Nations. But those selfish groups that didn’t want to listen to it did not embrace it.”

Iranian president who was greeted with uncharacteristic hostility by the President of Columbia University Lee Hollinger, who said: “We do not honour the dishonourable when we open our public forum to their voices,” addressed the audience as my dear friends.

Ahmadinejad, who is in New York City to attend the United Nations General Assembly session this week, sparked controversy before he even left Iran, asking for permission to lay a wreath at Ground Zero.

AFP adds: Ahmadinejad, who has called for the destruction of Israel and downplayed the Holocaust, said he was open to meeting survivors of the devastating Nazi pogromme against the Jews.

“But let us remember then where did the Holocaust happen to begin with? It happened in Europe. And given that, why is it that the Palestinian people should be displaced?” he said earlier via satellite to Washington’s National Press Club.

Asked about Iraq, Ahmadinejad again denied Iran was providing advanced weapons to Shia extremists to use against US troops.

“We think, in fact, the (US) military should seek an answer to its defeat in Iraq elsewhere,” he said, insisting Tehran wanted a stable Iraq on its border.

Outside Columbia, 100 protestors gathered to vent their fury that Ahmadinejad had been given a venue to speak out.

“Stop Ahmadinejad, the Hitler of Iran,” chanted one protester, Mordechi Levy of the Jewish Defence Organisation, calling for alumni to boycott the university.