TEHRAN, Iran (AP):
IRAN SAID yesterday that it was barring CNN from working in Iran due to its mistranslation of comments made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a recent news conference.
In remarks Saturday, Ahmadinejad had defended Iran's right to continue nuclear research. State media have complained since the news conference that CNN translated his words as "nuclear weapons" instead of "nuclear technology."
"Due to mistranslation of the words of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his press conference, activities of the American CNN in Tehran are banned until further notice," said a statement by the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry read on state-run television.
ACKNOWLEDGED MISTAKE
CNN acknowledged the mistake in its U.S. broadcast.
"CNN quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying that Iran has the right to build nuclear weapons," the network said in its report of the ban. "In fact he said that Iran has the right to nuclear energy. He added that, quote, a nation that has civilisation does not need nuclear weapons and our nation does not need them. CNN has clarified what the Iranian president said and apologised here on the air to the Iranians directly, as well as on the air."
CNN told viewers it had not been officially notified about the ban.
