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 Gibbs Callibrates On Ahmadinejad - Air Force One Press Gaggle by Robert Gibbs 8/5/09 — Thursday, August 06, 2009 —  Q Switching topics slightly and then we might go back to North Korea. Do you have any reaction to the swearing-in of President Ahmadinejad in Iran today?MR. GIBBS: Well, let me correct a little bit of what I said yesterday. I denoted that Mr. Ahmadinejad was the elected leader of Iran. I would say it's not for me to pass judgment on. He's been inaugurated, that's a fact. Whether any election was fair, obviously the Iranian people still have questions about that and we'll let them decide that. But I would simply say he's been inaugurated and we know that is simply a fact. Q Do you recognize him as the leader, elected fairly or not? MR. GIBBS: It's not for -- it's not for me or for us to denote his legitimacy, except to acknowledge the fact. Q Does the White House believe the election was fair? MR. GIBBS: That's not for us to pass judgment on. I think that's for the Iranian people to decide, and obviously there are many that still have a lot of questions. Ahmadinejad | Air Force One | Iran | Press Gaggle | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Ahmadinejad, Air Force One, Iran, Press Gaggle, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 3:06:00 PM  A Decision And A Debate - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 8/4/09 — Tuesday, August 04, 2009 —  Q A couple of questions -- one on North Korea and one on Iran. I'm trying to take North Korea from a slightly different angle. The President --MR. GIBBS: Good try. (Laughter.) Q Former President Clinton is there, a very high-ranking former U.S. official. Some analysts are saying that his mere presence there can be seen as a reward for bad behavior, and that's something that President Obama has made clear that he does not want to do in dealings with Pyongyang. What's your -- what's the administration view on that? MR. GIBBS: I'm not going to get deep into this issue at this point, like I said to Phil. I do think we have looked at -- as I said a few months ago, we're not equating -- we look at detainment and other issues separately. We always hope that the North Koreans would look at it the same way. That's how this administration has approached this. Q You want to keep those completely de-linked as issues. MR. GIBBS: That's what we talked about. Q And on Iran, President Ahmadinejad will be sworn in tomorrow. Some of the U.S. allies will be sending representatives to attend that ceremony. The administration is not. Does the U.S. absence in any way indicate that it is not, shall we say, does not recognize the legitimacy of Ahmadinejad's reelection? MR. GIBBS: No, I -- let me get some larger guidance on our participation. Look, I think we have said throughout this that this was a decision and a debate that was ongoing in Iran by Iranians. That they were going to choose their leadership. The President has discussed our goals for reaching out in order to ensure that they don't develop a nuclear weapons program. Those continue to be our goals. Q But does the administration recognize Ahmadinejad as the legitimate President in Iran? MR. GIBBS: He's the elected leader. Ahmadinejad | Foreign Policy | Iran | North Korea | Obama Administration | President Clinton | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Ahmadinejad, Foreign Policy, Iran, North Korea, Obama Administration, President Clinton, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 6:34:00 PM The Iranians Seem Preoccupied - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/26/09 — Sunday, June 28, 2009 — MR. GIBBS: No, I think -- again, I think what the President did today was largely reiterate what he'd said earlier in the week, that we're going to -- there obviously are a series of events that have yet to play out in Iran, and we'll watch those events play out. I think our long-term interest, as it relates to Iran and the danger in the region remain, quite honestly, no different than they remained the day before the election. We've all witnessed the images since the days of that election, and that's I think foremost on the minds of not only this President and this administration, but people throughout the world. Q But you still believe in engagement as a policy? MR. GIBBS: He does, understanding right now that the Iranians seem preoccupied. Yes, sir. Q Chancellor Merkel today spoke directly to the election results in Iran when she said that there should be a re-vote, some kind of recount. I haven't heard President Obama say anything like that. Does he agree with Chancellor Merkel on that? MR. GIBBS: That's a decision that Iranians are going to have to make about their own leadership. Q So are you saying that Chancellor Merkel was going to go further than -- went further than President Obama was prepared to? MR. GIBBS: I'm not going to -- I've not been hired to characterize Chancellor Merkel's statements. Q But he said they spoke with one voice. MR. GIBBS: In condemning the violence. I think you all have heard everything that the President said on this. Democracy | Germany | Iran | President Obama | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Democracy, Germany, Iran, President Obama, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 3:03:00 AM They Do Care About This, Jake - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/24/09 — Thursday, June 25, 2009 — Q All right. I've got a procedural question about yesterday's news conference. What led to your decision to plant a designated hitter right here to ask the President a question? And what kind of a message do you think that sends to the American people and to the world about the kind of free-flow and pure questioning that's been expected at presidential news conferences? MR. GIBBS: Well, I think it did nothing more than underscore that free-flow. Peter, that was a question from an Iranian in Iran, using the same type of manner and method to get that information as, I guess, many of you and virtually every one of your outlets has done, because in this country we enjoy the freedom of the press. In Iran, as many of you know, your colleagues have been dismissed. They've been kicked out. Some of them have been rounded up. There aren't journalists that can speak for the Iranian people. What the President did was take a question from an Iranian. That's, I think, the very powerful message that that sent just yesterday. Q Couldn't he have accomplished that without you guys escorting someone through here and planting him the room? MR. GIBBS: Did you get a question yesterday from an Iranian that you had hoped to asked the President? Q No, I did not. MR. GIBBS: Well, then I guess the answer to that would have been, no. Q Is this going to become a regular feature of President Obama's news conference, that you all are going to bring people in here that you select to ask questions? MR. GIBBS: Well, let's understand -- let's be clear, Peter. I think you understand this, so -- but I'll repeat it for your benefit. There was no guarantee that the questioner would be picked. There was no idea of what the exact question would be. I'll let you down easily: A number of questions that we went though in prep you all asked. Iran dominated the news conference, not surprisingly. But Peter, I think it was important and the President thought it was important to take a question using the very same methods, again, that many of you all are using to report information on the ground. I don't have any -- I won't make any apologies for that. Q Can I follow that one up, please? MR. GIBBS: Sure. Q Thank you. MR. GIBBS: Get the mic ready. Q Aren't you -- you and the President aware that this cast suspicion that all of such questions may be presidentially planted? MR. GIBBS: Well, you know what? Instead, Lester, of giving you an answer from here, I'll ask that you ask Chuck, Jennifer, Chip, Jake -- Q I'm not throwing suspicion on them; you are. MR. GIBBS: No, no -- Q I mean, no, no -- MR. GIBBS: I'm sorry. I was -- can I give you 30 seconds to get your question straight? Q Yes, of course. MR. GIBBS: Major and others that asked questions yesterday, ask them right now if they knew they were getting a question yesterday -- go ahead, ask one of them. Go ahead. Q Well, he makes a good point, because -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, I make -- Q -- there are a lot of people out there -- MR. GIBBS: Let me make -- hold on, Chip. Q -- who incorrectly believe that we ask questions that are preapproved. And doesn't this add -- MR. GIBBS: Do you? Do you? Q Of course not. MR. GIBBS: Okay, so how did they get that misperception -- Q But doesn't this add to that perception -- MR. GIBBS: No. Q -- and doesn't this allow -- MR. GIBBS: Chip, I feel like you have -- Q -- (inaudible) do what we do? MR. GIBBS: I feel -- hold on, hold on. Q So you don't know -- MR. GIBBS: Well, let me -- Q You don't know -- MR. GIBBS: Since I'm not a journalist and I play the spokesman on TV, let me answer one of the questions, okay? (Laughter.) One of the things I love, Lester, is you move the microphone toward your mouth when you laugh as if the sound might not pick that up. (Laughter.) All right. Leaving that aside for a second, leaving that aside for a second -- Q I have one follow-up. (Laughter.) MR. GIBBS: No, no, I can -- I can't in my wildest dreams believe it's only one, but just hold on -- Q It's only one. MR. GIBBS: No, no, I know, but let me -- Chip and Chuck have questions that I think are important to answer. I don't know how that perception comes out there, but I feel confident that if you feel that perception is out there, that you could deal with it. CBS has gotten a question on all four of the news conferences. I don't know if it's been you on all four. Have you ever told us what your question is? Q Certainly not. MR. GIBBS: Have you? Q Of course not. MR. GIBBS: Have you? Q Nope. MR. GIBBS: You've only gotten one, so -- have you? (Laughter.) Peter, have you? Q Certainly not. MR. GIBBS: Did Mark know? Did Mark tell us? Q Certainly not, and neither would I. MR. GIBBS: Major? Q No. MR. GIBBS: Jake? Q I don't think he would have called on me. MR. GIBBS: Michael? Q We didn't get one. We didn't get one. MR. GIBBS: But did you give us a heads up on your question last time? Q What do you think? (Laughter.) MR. GIBBS: There you go. Good answer. I like that. That's actually -- you might get one next time because that was a keen answer. Ann, did you let us know? Q I think these are rhetorical -- MR. GIBBS: Okay. They are rhetorical questions because they're easily answered. Q Robert, in a third-world country -- in a third-world country, and we've seen a press conference with -- Q A planted question. Q -- a planted question, the perception -- MR. GIBBS: The question wasn't planted. That question wasn't planted. Q Questioner, planted questioner -- the perception, you know, it's something that would have colored the entire -- MR. GIBBS: Chuck, is Richard Engel reporting from Tehran using Twitter? Q We have a reporter -- MR. GIBBS: Is he? Q We have a reporter in Tehran. MR. GIBBS: So Richard is not. Q Richard is not, no. But have a reporter in Tehran. MR. GIBBS: But Richard is not using Twitter? Richard is not using information he got from people -- Q Of course, we're using information all over the place, but we usually have live bodies on the ground -- Q But, Robert, as many of us who were on the campaign trail remember, in Iowa, when there were two episodes where candidate Obama's chief rival, Hillary Clinton, was accused of having planted questioners in town halls -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no -- Q -- it became a question of her authenticity -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, no, no. Q -- or her ability to handle town halls. MR. GIBBS: No, no, no, no. Let's be clear. Not that I knew I should call on Major, right? I don't know what -- forget the Iowa outlet -- call on Major, because the question he's going to ask is X, okay? You're saying -- and I will be definitive -- nobody at any outlet has ever told me that they were going to ask a certain question, including the fact that I was going to pick or the President might pick somebody from the Huffington Post to ask a question by an Iranian, but didn't know what the question was. Q That's a big difference. Q Why not use a seating chart and just let the President call on who he is, rather than go to specific -- MR. GIBBS: Well, you know -- Q Robert, what are the rules to be followed by the President at the press conference? MR. GIBBS: What are the rules? Q Yes. MR. GIBBS: They're not written. I'm happy -- look, I'm happy to have you guys yell. I'm cool with that. Q Okay. MR. GIBBS: You want to do that? Q Just one more. MR. GIBBS: No, no. Let's -- you know what? I'll forget where I've gone, right? I'm going to --go ahead, yell a little bit louder so I can almost hardly hear you. Yes, ma'am. Q The perception is though, however -- MR. GIBBS: Well -- Q Let me finish, please. MR. GIBBS: No, no. I'm not even going to let you finish. On the first day in political science class, the teacher says, there's perception, and there's reality. Q Well, the reality is -- MR. GIBBS: Every one of you all has talked about the reality -- Q -- printed out this -- MR. GIBBS: -- so I'm not going to deal with the perception. Q Robert, allow me -- please allow me to finish, okay? MR. GIBBS: We live in America. Speak. Q Thank you. MR. GIBBS: There you go. Q The perception is this is scripted, from the day -- MR. GIBBS: Well, it's wrong. Q Okay. MR. GIBBS: It's wrong. Q But from the day this administration walked in the door, there was a perception that you were calling people, telling them, you will be picked. And that was the perception, and it's out there. And then to put this person from the Huffington Post, it was awkward -- MR. GIBBS: April, you got picked. Did you get told you were going to get picked? Q I got picked, it was my first White House press conference pick. No, I was not told. I was surprised -- MR. GIBBS: Were you -- did you know what -- did I ask you what question? Q I don't think you know what I'm going to ask you when I ask questions. MR. GIBBS: That is more than a safe bet. Q But how do you decide on that list of people that you're going to say, the President has a list, I'm going to go through that? MR. GIBBS: It's just a series of educated guesses. Q Can anyone ask about something that the American people actually care about? Q They do care about this, Jake. They want to make sure that we are out there being accountable for them. They do want to know. Iran | President Obama | Presidential Press Conference | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Iran, President Obama, Presidential Press Conference, Press Briefing, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 12:24:00 AM We've Been Entirely Consistent - Press Conference by the President 6/23/09 — Tuesday, June 23, 2009 — Like the rest of the world, we were impressed by the vigorous debate and enthusiasm that this election generated, particularly among young Iranians. We continue to monitor the entire situation closely, including reports of irregularities. THE PRESIDENT: All right? Major Garrett. Where's Major?June 13, 2009 Statement by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on the Iranian Election Q Right here, sir. In your opening remarks, sir, you were -- you said about Iran that you were appalled and outraged. What took you so long to say those words? THE PRESIDENT: I don't think that's accurate. Track what I've been saying. Right after the election, I said that we had profound concerns about the nature of the election, but that it was not up to us to determine what the outcome was. As soon as violence broke out -- in fact, in anticipation of potential violence -- we were very clear in saying that violence was unacceptable, that that was not how governments operate with respect to their people. So we've been entirely consistent, Major, in terms of how we've approached this. My role has been to say the United States is not going to be a foil for the Iranian government to try to blame what's happening on the streets of Tehran on the CIA or on the White House; that this is an issue that is led by and given voice to the frustrations of the Iranian people. And so we've been very consistent the first day, and we're going to continue to be consistent in saying this is not an issue about the United States; this is about an issue of the Iranian people. What we've also been consistent about is saying that there are some universal principles, including freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, making sure that governments are not using coercion and violence and repression in terms of how they interact with peaceful demonstrators. And we have been speaking out very clearly about that fact. Q Are Iranian diplomats still welcome at the embassy on the Fourth of July, sir? THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think as you're aware, Major, we don't have formal diplomatic relations with -- we don't have formal diplomatic relations with Iran. I think that we have said that if Iran chooses a path that abides by international norms and principles, then we are interested in healing some of the wounds of 30 years, in terms of U.S.-Iranian relations. But that is a choice that the Iranians are going to have to make. Q But the offer still stands? THE PRESIDENT: That's a choice the Iranians are going to have to make. International Relations | Iran | President Obama | Presidential Press Conference | White House Press Corps Labels: International Relations, Iran, President Obama, Presidential Press Conference, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 11:44:00 PM This "Debate" That's Happening Within Iran - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/22/09 — Monday, June 22, 2009 — MR. GIBBS: Yes. Q Can I ask you, is he correct, though -- there is a perception out there that the President has ratcheted up -- you said earlier that his statements have been crystal clear and consistent, but there's a perception out there, I believe, among a lot of the pundits and others that -- I know, pundits, whoever -- that there's a perception out there that he has gradually ratcheted -- MR. GIBBS: Far be it for me to conduct our foreign policy based on pundits that we see on television -- Q And members of Congress. MR. GIBBS: -- where's that gotten us? (Laughter.) Q Wait, we're asking the questions here. (Laughter.) But that's the perception -- MR. GIBBS: I think I'm answering them fairly well today. (Laughter.) Q Glad you're so confident. MR. GIBBS: Sure, why not. I'm a pundit. I'm doing great. No, but let me tell you, Chip -- Q But there's a perception out there -- (laughter.) Q Well, let him finish the question. MR. GIBBS: Well, I knew the answer almost before you asked it. (Laughter.) Like I said, I'm a pundit, I'm grading myself pretty well today. Chip, this isn't about -- I think you've heard the President say this isn't about a foreign policy that makes us feel good; this isn't about statements that might make us feel good or sound good on television. This is -- Q But I'm not asking that. I'm asking has he ratcheted up -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, I understand, but this is -- Q -- has he increased the pressure a little bit with his statement? MR. GIBBS: I think obviously you've seen events -- I think anybody would say events on the ground have changed over the course of the last week. The President last Monday warned against the potential for violence -- and we've seen that escalate throughout the week. But, again, Chip, this is about ensuring -- as the President said, that he is speaking out for universal principles. He said that last week. But, Chip, there are many in Iran that would love us to be the story, as the President said and as I have said. They would love to take this debate that's happening within Iran, by Iranians, about the direction of their leadership and the direction of their country -- and instead take that out and put us in. The President has said he recognizes that, he understands that's not helpful and, I think quite honestly, Chip, many of the experts that -- many people in this room, their organizations have talked to, many Republicans have denoted that -- or have noted that the President has struck the right response here. That's what's important. Democracy | International Relations | Iran | President Obama | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Democracy, International Relations, Iran, President Obama, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 10:01:00 PM We Can Quibble On This - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/19/09 — Saturday, June 20, 2009 — MR. GIBBS: Ms. Loven. Q The House resolution, it asks for a direct condemnation of the government in Iran's use of violence against protestors. And that kind of direct condemnation has not come from the White House this week. Can you comment on the resolution? MR. GIBBS: Well, obviously, we welcome the resolution and we believe despite the question that it echoes the words of President Obama throughout the week. I think he -- Q But you've been saying that you hope they don't use violence and directly -- it may be a small difference, but it's a big difference to some people. MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the President was pretty clear on Monday in the avail with Berlusconi. Q He said he was troubled by violence. He didn't say they shouldn't do it or directly criticize them for doing it. MR. GIBBS: That's not the way I read it. I think when the -- Q I have the -- MR. GIBBS: I have the same transcript right here. I think when the President sits in the Oval Office and says he's: deeply troubled by what I've seen on television, and the American people are rightly troubled by that; I think when the President discusses as he did with President Lee that something has happened in Iran, where there's a questioning of the kinds of antagonistic postures toward the international community that have taken place in the past, and there are people who want to see greater openness, greater debate, and want to see greater democracy -- I stand strongly with the universal principle that people's voices should be heard and not be suppressed. I think the language in the resolution is very consistent with the language that the President has used. Q It makes direct criticism of the government, which he has not done. MR. GIBBS: We can quibble on this. I think the President has been clear in standing up for the universal principles and deploring violence. Q So comment on the resolution? MR. GIBBS: As I said earlier, we welcome it. It's consistent with what the President has said. Yes, sir. Q Robert, continuing on that theme, what is the White House and the President's reaction to the supreme leader of Iran warning to protestors to stop protesting and calling on -- saying that leaders will be held responsible for bloodshed? MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the President addressed that also on Monday, that he believes, as we have said throughout the week and as I've said throughout the week, those who wish to have their voices heard should be able to do that -- to do that without fear of violence; that that is an important universal principle that should be upheld. And I think he strongly supports that. Q So would he criticize or condemn this particular statement from the supreme leader? MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the President has been clear on what he believes: that he believes strongly that people should have their voices heard, that clearly there is, as he said on Tuesday, a ferment in Iran that is bringing about change. I will say, as the President has said, we're not going to be used as political foils and political footballs in a debate that's happening by Iranians in Iran. There are many people in the leadership that would love us to get involved. Q The leadership of Iran? MR. GIBBS: Yes. And would love to trot out the same old foils they have for many years. That's not what we're going to do. Democracy | Iran | President Obama | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Democracy, Iran, President Obama, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 4:35:00 AM Robotic Knowledge Of Robert Gibbs' Thinking - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/18/09 — Thursday, June 18, 2009 —  Q Robert, on Iran, is there an internal debate in the White House now between those who clearly support what the President is doing in terms of the hands-off approach and those who think the President needs to have some stronger language? Is that ongoing in the White House?MR. GIBBS: There's no debate in the White House. Q Never? Q Is there division at all? Is everyone on the same page on this, or are there those who think that the President -- internally, that the President is -- MR. GIBBS: Everybody is on the same page. There's no difference of opinion. I think the only thing I might take -- the only thing I would take some exception to is the notion that the President has been hands-off. Again, the President -- Q Well, in terms of not wanting to interfere with the election. MR. GIBBS: Well, I mean, I think that's a fairly time-honored principle. At the same time, the President has been -- has talked about, and we talked about it from my statement on Sunday and every statement either by me or other administration officials and by the President, concern about how this election was conducted, as well as stating, as I said earlier to Phil's question, ensuring that the world knows and that people in Iran know of our belief that they have the right to have their causes and concerns heard and not fear violence, while at the same time respecting that this is a debate being had in Iran, by Iranians, about their leadership. I think if you look at Democrats and Republicans alike, they share where the President has been on this as we continue to watch the developments unfold. [...] Q You said there's no difference of opinion. Well, we've been led to believe this President seeks out different opinions from his advisors. You've got these incredibly knowledgeable people sitting around the room. He can't find a single person who does anything other than nod, "Yes, Mr. President, you're absolutely right on this"? I mean, how can there not be -- how can there not be some difference of opinion on this? MR. GIBBS: There is a belief by all here that this is a debate that, as I've said I think every day for the last five days, four days, plus my statement, that the American people and this government are not going to pick the next leader of Iran. That's something that the Iranians have to do. We have to ensure that we express our views, as I've said, about ensuring that people can demonstrate, have their causes and concerns heard. And that's what people here believe. Q But is there nobody who believes he ought to be a little more open in supporting the demonstrators? Nobody has expressed that opinion to him? MR. GIBBS: Everybody is on the same page. Yes, sir. Q Just absolutely verbatim? Nobody -- MR. GIBBS: We walk around like robots, Chip. (Laughter.) Q Can we quote you on that? Q Too late. Q It's already there. MR. GIBBS: It's on the record -- I'm a senior administration official -- (laughter) -- robotic knowledge of Robert Gibbs' thinking. Go ahead. (Laughter.) Q So you say "We're all on the same page." But the world sees many members of the United States government, members on Capitol Hill, who believe that -- MR. GIBBS: Well, Chip didn't ask me did the entire Congress believe everything -- Q I didn't say that -- no, no, no, no -- MR. GIBBS: That I can tell you on the record is likely not the case. Q I understand that. Does the President or does the administration believe -- Q (Laughter.) MR. GIBBS: A little delayed back there, Lester. What was the -- Q I know, we're on the seven-second -- MR. GIBBS: Right, I know, it's -- Q -- delay. (Laughter.) Q Does the administration believe that the vocal criticism of -- that members of the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, and many very prominent members of Congress, have said -- have spoken out forcefully in favor of the demonstrators, do members of the administration believe that's a bad thing for the U.S. government to be doing? MR. GIBBS: Well, it's not -- it's not the tack that we've taken. But, Chuck, let's -- Q But should the government -- I mean, are you guys reaching out quietly to members on Capitol Hill, saying, hey, guys, this is what our intelligence is saying, you shouldn't be doing this? MR. GIBBS: No. Look, I appreciate the opportunity to get Congress to agree with everything that we believe. I will wait and see whether that comes to fruition. Again -- Q But this is a national security issue. It's not uncommon sometimes for - MR. GIBBS: Chuck, let's be honest. Let's -- but hold on. Q -- for the White House to reach out to Capitol Hill and say, hey -- MR. GIBBS: No, no, but let's be honest. Q -- let me tell you what we know. MR. GIBBS: You make it sound monolithically like the President is saying one thing and everybody else is saying another thing. That's not even true in the Republican Party, right? Q So you think it's good that there are members out there, prominent members of the United States government, saying -- MR. GIBBS: The President and his team are responsible for what the President and his team say. I'm not going to get into what motivates other people to do or say what they do or say. But I think the President believes that he's struck the right tone, and as do others in the administration, as do others in the Republican Party, as do others in the Democratic Party. Q And you're not reaching out? Nobody in this administration is reaching out to members of Congress who have been very vocal in saying, can you buy us some time, can you give us a few days to get this sort of -- MR. GIBBS: Give us a few days for what? Q To see what happens. I mean, it seems to be -- MR. GIBBS: Well, I think everybody is watching what happens, but I'm not -- you know, I'm not -- ask for two days to do what? Count the ballots Q I'm talking about the critics -- the very vocal criticism that is now -- MR. GIBBS: But what are we asking for a few days for? Q I'm asking you. MR. GIBBS: Okay. (Laughter.) Q So I guess the answer is no. Iran | Obama Administration | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Iran, Obama Administration, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 6:44:00 PM Do We Care What Happens In Iran? - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/17/09 — Wednesday, June 17, 2009 —  MR. GIBBS: Yes, ma'am.Q Do we care what happens in Iran? And does both sides -- are they both planning to continue nuclear -- their nuclear development? MR. GIBBS: Well, obviously we care about -- Q The outcome. MR. GIBBS: Of the election? Well, as I said yesterday, Helen, I think regardless of -- and I think the President certainly said this, as well -- regardless of who emerges from this election, there are still two principal national interests that this country has relating to Iran. First is their pursuit of a nuclear weapon, and second is their support and sponsorship of terror. Those are causes and concerns, as I said, that we had the day prior to the election and in the days after the election. I would also say that the President remains committed to engagement and understanding that the principle of national interest that I talked about, the sponsorship of terror and the pursuit of a nuclear weapon, are in many ways policy aspects relating to foreign policy and national security that are controlled by the Supreme Leader, who is likely to be the same regardless of who wins the election. Q So why are we worried? MR. GIBBS: Why are we worried -- Q At all? MR. GIBBS: Well, obviously we have -- Q And how do you know they sponsor terrorism? What is terrorism? I mean, we're in two countries. MR. GIBBS: Well, we can get into a long discussion about the definition of this. I think this one is fairly well held. Q You mean you oppose the status quo? MR. GIBBS: I'm sorry, I don't understand. Q Sponsoring terrorism and terrorists -- the American revolutionaries were called terrorists. MR. GIBBS: Well, I think, leaving aside whatever moniker might have been affixed several hundred years ago -- Q Not that long. MR. GIBBS: Yes, I will -- I think there's a fairly well held definition of what that means today. Yes, sir. Q Following up on her question. Yesterday the President, and you mentioned -- the President addressed this yesterday -- in one of the interviews yesterday, the President said the difference between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi, in terms of their actual policies, may not be as great as has been advertised. Is that U.S. policy, that there's not really much difference between these two candidates and that there's no preference for one over the other? MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think I was asked in this room prior to the election whether this country had a preference. And we're not going to get involved in picking candidates in elections. Q But he did get involved in a way in saying that. What was he trying to say by saying that? MR. GIBBS: Well, I think he was saying exactly what I've said the past two days, and that is, regardless of the outcome of what we're seeing, the United States still has two principal national interests as it relates to the Islamic Republic of Iran: the state sponsorship of terror and the support of terror, as well as their pursuit of a nuclear weapon. I don't think that's likely to be markedly changed, even throughout this process. And it's something that still obviously is a principal concern of our country and something we'll pursue. Q You said not going to be markedly changed -- you mean no matter who is elected here. MR. GIBBS: Right. And I'm echoing what he said in there, as well as, I think, underscoring that our principal national interest, as it relates to Iran, regardless of the outcome, are still going to be the same. Q Is this another way to phrase that, to say it doesn't really matter who wins this election in Iran? MR. GIBBS: No. Again, I'm not going to get involved and our government is not going to get involved in picking a candidate. Obviously there is international concern for the way an election was conducted, and it's being looked into, and certainly, we believe, rightfully so. But at the same time, again, there are principal national interests that we had as a country Thursday, we had before the polls opened -- the moment before the polls opened and the moment after the polls closed. Those remain. Q No preference? No preference? MR. GIBBS: It's just not the policy of this administration to pick the leaders of other countries. Elections | Iran | Obama Administration | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Elections, Iran, Obama Administration, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 7:31:00 PM Something For Iranians To Work Out - White House Press Briefing by Robert Gibbs 6/16/09 — Tuesday, June 16, 2009 — MR. GIBBS: I'm sorry? Q The President is still willing to talk to Ahmadinejad about the various U.S. issues, and that's not been changed at all by the -- MR. GIBBS: The President is committed to -- Q -- status of this election? MR. GIBBS: The President is committed to direct engagement with the Iranian government on issues of our national interest, including their pursuit of a nuclear weapon and their sponsorship for terror. Q And the disputed election does not in any way change that? MR. GIBBS: Well, again, the disputed election is something for Iranians to work out. Q Does the administration have an opinion as to whether or not foreign journalists should be allowed to cover that story and remain inside Iran? MR. GIBBS: Obviously the President spoke both yesterday and today about what he thinks of his universal values, and obviously -- Q He spoke about people in the streets and Iranians -- MR. GIBBS: Let me -- Q I'm sorry. MR. GIBBS: I think having a robust free press that covers an important story for the world is something that the President believes strongly in. Q Does the administration believe the Internet and texting access should be restored? MR. GIBBS: Absolutely. Yes, sir. Q A follow-up? Sky News has designated a spot on their Web site, as other organizations have, for people who are tweeting, who are sending SMS's, et cetera. In light of the fact that we don't have a diplomatic relationship, is the White House monitoring these various Web sites for that information? MR. GIBBS: I can check with somebody at NSC, but I don't have anything specific. Q The President said in Cairo that countries that elect their governments are better -- the governments are better, more stable, better able to provide economic opportunities. Does the United States have a national interest in the will of the Iranian people being accurately reflected in this election? MR. GIBBS: Well, I think that he's expressed concern, as the international community has. Obviously any election, if it's going to -- any election should reflect the will of the people. That, by definition, is an election. I would also mention, Scott, that the President said that it's important -- elections are important, but also the decisions that governments make after elections are important. That's why our interests as they relate to the Iranian government are unchanged. Q Robert, are you at all concerned that the measured response of the United States so far to the Iranian elections could harm America or the President's image among democracy advocates not only in Iran but around the world? MR. GIBBS: No, I think this administration's commitment to democracy has been demonstrated in the commitment in resources that we've put forward. But at the same time, I think it's important that I reemphasize what the President said about sovereignty, but more importantly, that I emphasize that this is a debate inside of Iran for Iranians. Ahmadinejad | Democracy | Elections | Iran | President Obama | Press Briefing | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Ahmadinejad, Democracy, Elections, Iran, President Obama, Press Briefing, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 5:38:00 PM Heartened By The Enthusiasm Of Young People In Iran - Air Force One Press Gaggle by Robert Gibbs 6/15/09 — Monday, June 15, 2009 —  MR. GIBBS: How are you guys?Q How are you? MR. GIBBS: Good. Fire away. Q Does the President think the Iranian election was run fairly and that the announced results are accurate? MR. GIBBS: Well, I don't have a lot to add to what -- the statement that we put out this weekend and what Vice President Biden said yesterday. Obviously we continue to have concern about what we've seen. Obviously the Iranians are looking into this, as well. We continue to be heartened by the enthusiasm of young people in Iran. But I think what's important is the concerns that we have about their nuclear weapons program, and the concern we have about their support for terror isn’t any different than it was on Friday. Q Does the margin of victory announced for Ahmadinejad seem reasonable or plausible to the White House? MR. GIBBS: I think there are a number of factors that give us some concern about what we've seen. Air Force One | Democracy | Elections | Iran | Press Gaggle | Robert Gibbs | White House Press Corps Labels: Air Force One, Democracy, Elections, Iran, Press Gaggle, Robert Gibbs, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 2:13:00 PM HamasIranSyria Solutions - Western White House Press Briefing by Gordon Johndroe 12/31/08 — Wednesday, December 31, 2008 —  Q Have you seen any ramped up activities from Iran towards Israel? President Ahmadinejad today said the Arab world was not doing enough related to the Gaza strikes. MR. JOHNDROE: Have I seen any ramped up activity from Iran towards Israel. I've seen no change in their position in their desire to wipe Israel off the face of the earth, which they have stated a couple of times before. So I haven't seen anything new on that front. I think Hamas is pretty well-supplied by Iran, and to a certain extent, Syria. I mean, these two countries, Iran and Syria, supply Hamas and Hezbollah. I mean, they're basically their proxies in the region and in other parts of the world. And so I don't think Iran or Syria -- neither Iran nor Syria have been playing a helpful role, they are not playing a constructive role in this current crisis, which is pretty typical for their actions with regards to Hamas and Hezbollah. They continue to supply them. Q When you say "supply," what are you talking about -- supply them with what? MR. JOHNDROE: Weapons. Weapons. So we'd like to see -- there are some Arab states that are stepping forward and saying, we want peace in the Middle East. You have Egypt playing a positive role; Jordan; Saudi Arabia is very concerned. And then you have countries on the other end -- Iran and Syria -- who seem to want to continue to foment violence. And we'll see. Laurent. Q Have you seen supplies increasing to Hamas during the current crisis? MR. JOHNDROE: I'm not going to get into any specifics on supplies from Iran and Syria that we've seen over the last few days, but there is no doubt that Iran and Syria are the ones who have assisted Hamas with their weapons acquisition, and that's a problem. Q Hamas today said that they were prepared to study proposals for a cease-fire. Basically, the United States and Israel are not taking that seriously or -- MR. JOHNDROE: I don't know what Hamas needs to study. I mean, I'm not sure -- I don't get what Hamas needs to study. Hamas needs to stop firing rockets into Israel. It's very clear. Ahmadinejad | Gaza | Gordon Johndroe | Hamas | Iran | Israel | Middle East | Press Briefing | Syria | White House Press Corps Labels: Ahmadinejad, Gaza, Gordon Johndroe, Hamas, Iran, Israel, Middle East, Press Briefing, Syria, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 10:31:00 PM Press Conference by the President 10/17/07 (Iran and Russia) — Wednesday, October 17, 2007 —  Q Good morning, Mr. President, thank you. I don't know if you saw the picture on the front page of one of the papers this morning of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Vladimir Putin. THE PRESIDENT: I did. Q It looked like they were getting along pretty well. And they are among -- THE PRESIDENT: Surprised they weren't kind of fighting each other on the front page of the paper? No, man, come on. Q It looked like they were enjoying each other's company. And I'm wondering, since they were leaders of five Caspian Sea region nations that have now declared each country will not be used as a base to attack the other, A, what do you make of their growing relationship? B, does it complicate what the United States can do in the region? And C, would you characterize that arrangement as some sort of Caspian Sea Truman Doctrine or something like that? THE PRESIDENT: You know, I -- I think it's hard to judge how their conversations went from a picture. Generally leaders don't like to be photographed scowling at each other or making bad gestures at each other. So I'm not surprised that there was a nice picture of them walking along. I try to make sure that when I'm with foreign leaders, there's a pretty picture of the two of us walking down the colonnades, or something like that, to send a good message. Q Are you saying it's not so warm? THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't know yet. What I'm about to tell you is, is that I'm looking forward to getting President Putin's readout from the meeting. I think one of the -- the thing I'm interested in is whether or not he continues to harbor the same concerns that I do. And I say "continues" because when we were in Australia, he reconfirmed to me that it is -- he recognized it's not in the world's interest for Iran to have the capacity to make a nuclear weapon. And they have been very supportive in the United Nations. And we're working with them on a potential third resolution. So that's where my concerns -- I don't worry about the pictures. I understand why they meet. I am -- will continue to work with Russia, as well as other nations, to keep a focused effort on sending Iran a message that you will remain isolated if you continue your nuclear weapons ambitions. Q But this declaration doesn't speak to that, Mr. President. This declaration doesn't suggest isolation for Iran. Just the opposite, that Russia and Iran are going to do business. THE PRESIDENT: Well, we'll find out, see. You're trying to get me to interpret the meeting based upon a news story or a picture. I'd rather spend some time with Vladimir Putin finding out exactly what went on. Thank you. Q Let's stay with the nuclear -- here. When North Korea tested a nuclear device, you said that any proliferation would be a grave threat to the U.S., and North Korea would be responsible for the consequences. Are you denying that North Korea has any role in the suspected nuclear -- THE PRESIDENT: See, you're trying to pull a Gregory. Q Yes, I am. Ahmadinejad | Iran | North Korea | Nuclear Arms | President Bush Labels: Ahmadinejad, Iran, North Korea, Nuclear Arms, President Bush, Presidential Press Conference, Putin, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 5:10:00 PM White House Press Briefing by Dana Perino 10/9/07 (Nuclear Arms in the Middle East) — Tuesday, October 09, 2007 — Q -- White House has a driving interest in keeping nuclear arms out of Iran. I'd like to ask you, does any country in the Middle East have nuclear arms? MS. PERINO: Oh, I would leave it to those countries to announce whether they do or not. I think that there's public information about that, Helen. Q No, no, no, I want to know if the White House knows that there -- what do you mean? They're not going to announce it. MS. PERINO: I'm not prepared to say anything beyond what has been publicly stated -- Q You don't know whether any other country in the Middle East has nuclear arms? MS. PERINO: Helen, I will let those countries speak for themselves. Q Or do you refuse to say? MS. PERINO: I'll just refuse to say it. Dana Perino | Helen | Iran | Middle East | Nuclear Arms | Press Briefing | White House Press Corps Labels: Dana Perino, Helen, Iran, Middle East, Nuclear Arms, Press Briefing, White House Press Corps >> Full Story
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 8:46:00 PM Press Gaggle by National Security Advisor Steve Hadley 9/24/07 (President's Speech to the UN) — Monday, September 24, 2007 — MR. HADLEY: A little bit, but it won't be a major focus. But I'd like to not get into more what will be in or not in the speech. We've given you a sense of sort of the framework and the thematic, and I'd like to save the rest of it for the President tomorrow. Q Do you have any reaction to the theme of what Ahmadinejad has been saying today; essentially that, why should we go to war, there is no war in the offing, we're not walking towards war with the United States? Are those comments in any way helpful? MR. HADLEY: Look, what would be helpful is for Iranian officials to give some direction so that they would stop the movement of equipment into Iraq, and training people in Iraq who are killing innocent Iraqis, Iraqi security forces and our kids. What would be helpful is if Iran would get out of the business of supporting terror, and agree to what's been offered to them: to suspend their enrichments capability so we can sit down and negotiate a resolution to the nuclear issue, that would give the Iranian people an opportunity for a truly peaceful civil nuclear program, and reassure the international community they're not trying to find a nuclear weapon. And it would be nice for this regime to give their people more of an opportunity to participate in government. I mean, look -- it would be nice for this regime to take some concrete steps to address the agenda, that not only the United States has, but really the whole international community has with the government of Iran. Thanks a lot. Labels: Ahmadinejad, Iran, President Bush, Press Gaggle, Sanctions, Stephen Hadley, United Nations, White House Press Corps
Posted by White House Press Corps @ 7:13:00 PM
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