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Words, But Any Actions Against Iran?
Connie Lawn’s 8th Blog – June 25, 2009

From Connie Lawn in Washington DC

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The President discusses Iran during the opening remarks of his Press Conference, (White House Photo, Chuck Kennedy)

President Obama used tougher words about Iran, during his formal News Conference in the crowded White House briefing room. He called the brutal actions of the Iranian government “outrageous.” He said he was appalled, and he condemned and deplored their brutality about the demonstrators. He also called the cold blooded killing of Iranian student Neda Soltan heartbreaking, and added, “anyone who sees it knows there’s something fundamentally unjust about that.” But, despite the tougher, stepped up rhetoric, the President made it clear, the Iranians have to make their own decisions. Gone are the days of overt, heavy-handed American and British interference. He also it clear, the Unites States has to act in its own best interest. That means, refusal to back any of the disparate Iranian factions, at this time. Privately the US wants regime change in Iran, but does not know which group will ultimately prevail.

The President did present a clear choice for Iran; integration in the wider international community, or isolation and further economic depravation. There is also the unspoken threat of military action against Iran’s nuclear installations, if they use them to develop nuclear weapons and threaten their neighbors with attack. The US claims peaceful nuclear power in Iran is acceptable. Critics say it is arrogant of the US to dictate anyone’s nuclear use.

While watching Iran, the US continues to deepen its outreach to other parts of the Mideast. President Obama plans to send a US Ambassador to Syria for the first time in 4 years. He hopes this will facilitate peace talks with Israel, but the Golan Heights remains a major area of disagreement. He also wants to pressure Syria, to cease support of Hezbollah, and stop interfering with Lebanon.

The violence continues in Iraq and Afghanistan., and US troops are in the midst of drawing down in Iraq. Still, in the press conference, there were no questions asked about those two nations, and none about North Korea. Many of us wanted to ask, but the room was absolutely jammed, and the small number of questioners were determined in advance.

President Obama was asked a question about his smoking habits, and was visibly annoyed. He says it is a constant struggle each day, and claims he is successful in quitting about 95% of the time. He is on a crusade to prevent young people from starting, because smoking – like nuclear power – is hard to walk away from! Connie Lawn, at the White House

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Connie Lawn has a passionate love for NZ. She worked for Radio New Zealand for 20 years, and then for Radio Live for a few years. Connie has covered the White House and the world since 1968. Her other passion is skiing, and she calls herself "the skiing White House reporter." Her ski stories are on dcski.com and other outlets. Connie is also heard on thousands of radio stations, but firmly believes the internet is the future. She can be reached at connie@scoop.co.nz

ENDS

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