By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — He may despise America, but Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can't seem to keep away.
The controversial figure was in New York Sunday, ahead of his appearance at the United Nations General Assembly.
In an interview on ABC's "This Week" show Sunday, Ahmadinejad said he expected to discuss Iran's nuclear program with the United States and other UN members.
"I think we will have a plan to discuss things," he told Christine Amanpour.
He will take the UN podium on Thursday - though the last time he did that, in 2007, western delegates walked out.
He told Iranian state media, "In New York, I will talk to heads of governments, a group of American people, industrialists, thinking, politicians and decision makers."
For New Yorkers though, the visit will most likely just result in one huge traffic jams and protests.
Last time Ahmadinejad visited the UN, large groups of protesters greeted him outside.
In August, the New York Post reported a group planned to protest the Hilton hotel — where Ahmadinejad is reportedly staying.
