Getting Started with Primary Sources: Interviews with World Leaders

From NewsHour Productions World Leaders Videos
In this 1977 interview, the Shah of Iran discusses relations with the United States.

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In this 1978 interview, Menacham Begin discussses the breakdown of Middle East peace talks.

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A 1978 interview with Ayaltollah Khomeni in which he discussed movement to overthrow the Shah of Iran.

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Prime Minister Thatcher was interviewed following two days of meetings in Washington with the newly-inaugurated President Ronald Reagan. She discusses the war in El Salvador, the prospects for a Reagan-Brezhnev summit, the nascent democracy movement in Poland and what western nations can do, Israeli/Palestinian relations, the possibility of deployment of the "neutron bomb" in Europe, and world economic problems.

From NewsHour Productions World Leaders Videos
In this 1981 interview, Muammar Khaddafy discusses Libyan relations with the U.S. following the expulsion of Libyan diplomats by President Reagan; Libya's relationship with the Soviet Union; accusations of Libya's role in international terrorism; the killing of Libyans abroad who oppose Gadhafi; Libyan intervention in Chad and Libyan aims throughout Africa.

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A 1985 interview with Fidel Castro in which he discusses relations with US.

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A 1985 interview with Fidel Castro in which he discusses human rights in Cuba.

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A 1985 interview with Fidel Castro in which he discusses aid to El Salvador and prospects for revolution in Latin America.

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A 1985 interview with Fidel Castro in which he discusses the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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In this 1985 interview, Muammar Khaddafy discusses the Egyptian accusation that Libya was connected to hijacking of Egypt Air plane.

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An interview with the PLO leader following an offer by Israeli PM Shamir for elections in the occupied territories and the possibility of a two-state solution.

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In 1989, Robert MacNeil interviewed King Hussein in which, among other things, they discussed an Israeli proposal for local elections in the occupied West Bank.

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In this 1992 interview, Nelson Mandela discusses his visit to the United Nations Security Council seeking peacekeepers to quell violence in South Africa.

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In the summer of 1993, King Hussein was in Washington to meet with President Clinton. Jim Lehrer talked with King Hussein about U.S.- Jordan relations.

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In an interview conducted in Alexandria, Egypt, President Mubarak talks about the Middle East peace process and how to bring Syrian leader Assad on board. He also talks about the state of democracy in Egypt and the region.

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Following the signing of the Israeli-PLO Accord, Charlayne Hunter-Gault spoke with King Hussein at his palace in Amman, Jordan.

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In this 1994 interview, Nelson Mandela discusses his first visit to Washington as President of South Africa.

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Egypt's President, Hosni Mubarak, talks to the NewsHour about his first, very straight forward session recently with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, his thoughts on terrorism, and U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

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After an upsurge of political violence in Israel, King Hussein of Jordan discusses the future of the peace process.

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Jim Lehrer talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about NATO air strikes in Yugoslavia, the possible use of ground troops and the evolving role of the Alliance.

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The King of Jordan, in Washington to meet with President Bush and other U.S. officials, reflects on the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

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Jordan's King Abdullah told Congress Wednesday that the United States must take the lead in cementing peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Abdullah talks to Jim Lehrer about the need for a two-state solution.

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In this November 2007 interview, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto pledged to continue her campaign of political pressure aimed at ending the military rule of President Pervez Musharraf and warned of new instability if a peaceful solution is not found.

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King Abdullah II of Jordan, the first Arab leader to urge President Assad to step down, sat down with Margaret Warner Thursday to discuss his expectation of more killings in Syria, the Arab League's role in quelling unrest there as well as the latest Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative and reforms within his own kingdom.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
In an interview at the 1984 Republican Convention, following his re-nomination as Vice President, Mr. Bush talks about his Democratic vice presidential challenger, Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman on a major political ticket.

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In an interview at the 1984 Republican Convention, former President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford talk about the re-nomination of President Reagan and Vice President Bush, the conservative movement in the Republican Party, the rising federal deficit, women's issues and more.

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Former Presidents Ford and Carter talk about their advice to President-elect George H.W. Bush, particularly on the need to focus his attention on the federal deficit.

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An interview with former President Gerald Ford on the prospect of the United States going to war in the Persian Gulf, following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

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Former President Jimmy Carter talks about his new book "Living Faith.

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In an exclusive NewsHour interview, President Clinton denies he interfered with an investigation into a reported affair, discusses his foreign policy objectives and expounds upon his domestic policy initiatives.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
President Bill Clinton speaks to Jim Lehrer about the Kosovo conflict and the progress towards peace in the Balkans.

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During the course of his Newsmaker Interview with President Clinton, Jim Lehrer explored the differences between Clinton and his Republican opponent, former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
The president talks with Jim Lehrer about his administration's successes, his personal pitfalls and how he thinks history will view his presidency.

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Gwen Ifill talks with former President Jimmy Carter about his new book, "An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood."

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Jim Lehrer discusses the anniversary of the Camp David peace accords with former President Jimmy Carter as well as current foreign policy issues facing the United States including Iraq and North Korea.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
Jim Lehrer speaks with former President Bill Clinton about the 2004 presidential campaign, Bush foreign policy, the Monica Lewinsky scandal and his new memoir, "My Life."

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Jim Lehrer speaks with former President George H.W. Bush about his impressions of the Republican National Convention, and about how his son's bid for reelection might parallel his own failed attempt 12 years ago.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
In this December 2005 interview, President George W. Bush hails the elections in Iraq as having geopolitical import, outlines his hopes for marginalizing the militants attacking targets throughout Iraq, and refuses to comment on reported spying by the National Security Agency on people in the United States without a court order.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
In an extensive NewsHour interview, President Bush discusses the recent execution of Saddam Hussein, his reasons behind sending more troops to Iraq, faltering public support for the war and how he defines "success" for the military operation.

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In this October 2007 interview, Former President Jimmy Carter discusses his recent trip to the Darfur region of Sudan and themes in his new book, "Beyond the White House."

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
As President Obama tries to reinvigorate U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East, former President Carter has come out with a new book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work." In an interview, Mr. Carter reflects on the book and the diplomatic road ahead.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
In an interview with Jim Lehrer, President Barack Obama said he could be flexible on the August deadline for a health care reform plan if most details are in place and discussed the state of the economy.

From NewsHour Productions United States Presidents Videos
Jim Lehrer speaks with former President Bill Clinton about the U.S. response to the Haitian earthquake, and its pledge to provide $100 million in aid.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), then chairman of the Sen. Armed Service Committee, and the Committee's ranking Democrat, Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA), call for sweeping reforms of the U.S. military in this 1985 interview.

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Representatives Dick Cheney (R-Wyoming) and Tom Foley (D-Washington) are interviewed on the day they were selected for the House committee investigating the Iran-Contra scandal.

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An interview with Sec. of Defense Dick Cheney as the Congress was debating a use-of-force resolution to remove Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Pres. George H.W. Bush and his administration were lobbying heavily for such a resolution.

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An interview with Defense Secretary Dick Cheney just days after the start of the Persian Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm.

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Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney is interviewed on the day Pres. George H.W. Bush delivered an ultimatum to Iraq. He said Iraqi forces must leave Kuwait within 7 days or face a ground war with the U.S. and its allies.

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Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney talks about the continuing nuclear threat from Iraq following the Gulf War of 1991.

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Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney is interviewed about Pres. George H.W. Bush's proposal to revamp U.S. defense strategy, including cutbacks in the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

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As Richard Holbrooke leaves his post as Assistant Secretary of State, he discusses his efforts to make peace in Bosnia.

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Senator John McCain (R-AZ), chair of the Commerce Committee, discusses his sweeping tobacco legislation proposal in this 1998 interview.

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Vice President Al Gore talks to Gwen Ifill about his campaign for the presidency and his proposal to increase the number of Democratic Party debates.

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Jim Lehrer talks with Vice President Al Gore in which he discusses campaign finance reform, economic policy, Texas Gov. George W. Bush's readiness for the presidency, issues such as oil prices, abortion and gun control, foreign policy objectives, and what's at stake this election year.

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Jim Lehrer talks with outgoing Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in a look back at her eight years in the Clinton administration.

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Vice President Dick Cheney examines the state of U.S. energy consumption and conservation, stem cell research, campaign finance reform and his health.

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Vice President Dick Cheney discusses possible links between the anthrax cases and Sept. 11. He also outlines how the strikes against targets in Afghanistan are proceeding, how the military and diplomatic decisions are being made and whether America will get an ""all clear"" message from the government.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
Vice President Dick Cheney discusses the effects of Sept. 11 on America, the threat of al-Qaida, and the status of the war on terrorism. He also discusses discusses the threat posed by Iraq and the possibility of military action against Saddam Hussein. He also adds his personal reflections on the events of Sept. 11.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
Senator. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, has called for limiting the number of American troops in Iraq and tying funds for the country's security to the government's ability to quell violence. In this January 2007 interview, the senator discusses her views on the Iraq war.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson speaks with Jim Lehrer about World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz's troubles, the potential impact on the international body, and U.S.-China economic relations ahead of Paulson's meeting with Chinese officials next week.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
In February 2008, The Bush Administration and six of the nation's largest banks agreed on a that would delay some home foreclosures by 30 days, allowing lenders to negotiate more affordable terms. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson discusses the details of the proposal.

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In this 2008 interview, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson defends the $700 billion rescue plan aimed at helping consumers.

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In this January 2009 interview, Vice President Dick Cheney looks back on the Bush administration's eight years in office, answers new questions on claims that the U.S. tortured terror suspects and assesses the challenges ahead for the Obama team.

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Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner details the Obama administration's economic recovery plan and clarifies how the government plans to address the banking crisis.

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Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner defends the stringency of the banking stress tests and offers insight on the pace of U.S. job losses as unemployment reaches 8.9 percent.

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In an interview with Jim Lehrer, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner details the administration's case for a sweeping overhaul of the financial regulation system and discusses the government's role in shaping an economic recovery.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
In this 2009 interview, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the goals of her Pakistan trip, how she is encouraged by the country's battle against extremists and the administration's upcoming decision on an Afghan strategy.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner discusses President Obama's proposals to impose new restrictions on banks aimed to discourage the kind of risky behavior that led to the financial collapse.

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Jim Lehrer talks with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner about the state of the U.S. economy, a tough housing market and preparations for a final vote on financial reform.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
In this 2010 interview with Jim Lehrer, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said that economic policy decisions made before this administration took office -- and the current political climate -- are teaming up to make it harder to fix the U.S. economy.

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In this April 2011 interview, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner speaks with Jim Lehrer about the president's budget goals and the likelihood of getting cooperation from congressional Republicans.

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Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner discusses his view on the return of the debate over the federal debt limit, how regional Federal Reserve bank boards are established, and how President Obama will campaign about jobs and the economy.

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In this December 2012 exit interview, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) reflects on his successes in financial reform, says he wishes he had come out earlier as a gay man and his plans to write two books.

From NewsHour Productions United States Government Leaders Videos
When Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) announced in 2012 that she would not seek re-election, she cited strident partisanship as the main reason to end her 33-year career. Judy Woodruff talks with Snowe more about what prompted her retirement and how she's working to resolve the bitter divide in American politics.