TEHRAN, May 2 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has accused the United States of fomenting terrorism, state-run media reported,
"We have documents that prove (Washington) is the root of world
terrorism," Press TV reported Ahmadinejad as saying in a speech in Tehran Saturday. "It has been aiding and abetting extremist groups over the past years."
CNN said the semi-official FARS news agency reported Ahmadinejad reiterated his country "cuts any hand that signs a document against Iran."
The Iranian leader headed to the United States Sunday for a United Nations summit on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that opens Monday in New York. Ahmadinejad's top adviser said the Iranian leader plans to offer proposals to allow Iran to maintain its nascent nuclear program.
Iran is under international pressure to submit to inspections of its nuclear program, which Western nations fear will lead to nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is meant only for peaceful purposes.
Ahmadinejad called on the United States to negotiate with his government, saying "companionship is better than confrontation," FARS reported.
Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported Sunday Washington has denied visas for Iranian reporters who intended to accompany Ahmadinejad to New York.
Ahmadinejad, who is being accompanied by his foreign minister, senior adviser, chief of staff and head of the Iranian nuclear program, is scheduled to speak at the twice-a-decade conference to review global progress in fulfilling disarmament obligations set out in the 40-year old treaty.
