Farrakhan reflected on his international image–and on national politics–in an interview with NEWSWEEK’S Vern E. Smith at Farrakhan’s Chicago house. Highlights:

ON HIS “WORLD TOUR'

I’m deeply concerned that the trip, instead of being shown to the American people for what it really was, was characterized by the media as a ““thug fest,’’ or the minister cavorting with terrorists, or grubbing for money. This is 180 degrees away from the truth. I thank Allah that he guided me to go, and I believe that the friends and the contacts that were made, and the ultimate economic developments that could come from such contacts, will in the long run be beneficial to our people.

ON NEGATIVE REACTION FROM BLACKS TO THE TOUR

The black people that were hurt were those who probably secretly admired aspects of my work and felt that the Million Man March had put me in a particular position where those who could not embrace me could come closer to me. [Then] I went overseas and the press [negatively] labeled my tour, and particularly our meeting with Muammar Kaddafi, my speech in Iran and my meeting in Iraq with Saddam Hussein and in Syria with President Assad, and with President Bashir in the Sudan. When those four were singled out, although I went to 18 or 19 countries, it gave the appearance that Farrakhan, after he had almost made it, had now kicked the bucket of milk over, and this is hurtful. There has never been a black leader that was so honored and respected by heads of state and governments as Louis Farrakhan was. This is no joke. We came back with so many gifts from the governments and people that the captain of the charter plane had to tell us, ““You cannot bring any more gifts on the plane.’’ Now why didn’t the press say that–that Louis Farrakhan was literally treated as a head of state?

ON HIS IMPACT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE

The present election may be a fait accompli–whatever is going to be done is going to be done. Most of [the thousands of people] that we registered will more than likely vote for President Clinton. But this will probably be the last free ride that the Democratic Party will have. We intend to educate our people to their self-interest, and if the party is doing that which is in our interest, then our people will vote Democratic, and if a Republican is in our self-interest, we’ll vote for that Republican.

ON ALLEGATIONS THAT CIA OPERATIVES FUNNELED CRACK INTO THE INNER CITY

I’m not involved in conspiracy theories; I just believe that the government of the United States is very, very afraid of the growth of the population of black people, and they’re very frightened at the lack of population growth in the white community. As a scriptural person, I know that Pharaoh was frightened over the growth of the children of Israel, and he entered into a conspiracy to destroy the children of Israel. Why are there so many drugs in the black community? Who is filling the funeral parlors in the cities of America? Is it not black youth? Of course it is. Is this part of a design, and is our government involved in this? I’ve suggested that our lawyers should look into this, and if we find enough evidence to get started, then we should sue the U.S. government in a class-action suit on behalf of all the crack addicts and their families who have suffered, and those who have been victimized by crime as a result of the crack addicts.

ON HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH JEWS

I don’t wish to go into New York with the Jewish community feeling that I’m coming there to say or do things to ill affect them, but I’m coming from the basis of atonement, reconciliation and responsibility. We really need to sit and talk as civilized and intelligent human beings, and if they can show me where I am in error, then I accept that.

ON HATRED OF GOVERNMENT

America is in grave trouble, and unless there is change you will see more and more anti-government behavior on the part of more and more whites in this nation who feel that the government is their enemy and has betrayed them. We’ve already known that the government was our enemy. Black folks may get angry and have a town meeting, but white folks don’t think like that, and that’s why you have a militia where somebody would go out and bomb the [Oklahoma City] government building.