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Published: Tue, 23 Jun 2009
Description: White House spokesman won't say whether Iran's 4th of July invitation still stands
Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)
" And Obama as he shot just wrapped up a news conference covering Iran -- health care and the nation's energy policy. Senior White House officials say that the president tweaked his language -- bet on all three of these topics in the lead up to the event. So what was behind the -- changes in some of -- is -- that day and he was the case. And what do we you'd sort of read into some of what we shot right now a sense of activists up on of the White House. Where White House deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton joins us now -- welcome good to have you with us today -- Martha -- It's too little but about eight you know that there was this change in tone clearly at the top of this news conference. And yet there was still language that. That was similar to what we've heard of the passengers -- we'll wait and see what happens we respect as a previous guest to set the sovereignty. In Iran so -- if the president stepping up his his urgency. And giving any kind of ultimatums to back to Iran about day in a sort of listening to what's going on in the street."
" But the president is being consistent in saying that there's a universal right for -- to demonstrate and speak freely. And to have free and fair elections and what he said today was consistent part of the message that he said. Ever since --"
" And then I read it and she -- it was much stronger and it I think everybody agrees when you listen to the language of the top of that news conference the president came out. -- things but we need to be on the right side of history. Eight you know he he said the word condemn which are running -- just pointed out. You she interpreted it as a much stronger statement as well so why the change in that -- at the top but the news conference."
" Well like I said that's actually consistent with what he has said and done what this White House is done. There Robert Gates is certainly use the word condemning the president on various occasions has had the opportunity to talk about universal rights of people by Iran have to demonstrate. And to have their elections. And one thing that folks should understand is that no matter how this all plays out the United States is very clear strategic goals as it relates to I ran. No matter what we need to get that country to stop supporting terrorism when you get that country to stop its pursuit of nuclear weapon and we're going to continue to do that because the safety and security of America and its interest is at stake. No matter how this plays it what are these fourth of July parties -- is gonna go forward. Com there's going to be a fourth of July hot celebration here at -- the White House but. You know like the president said we're going to continue to pursue our strategic objectives and it's up to them whether or not they're gonna whether or not they're going to."
" they -- happy about the invitation without invitation was extended to a Ryan diplomats to attend. You know -- Barbeque parties as part of the initial outreach and that of course that invitation extended before this happened. -- that invitation still extended or has it been revoked."
" Right I am I understand your question and as the president said in his press conference just now the United States and Iran actually have no formal diplomatic ties and -- Formal. Diplomats from our end here in the country now we're going to continue to pursue the objectives that we've got to make sure that America and our interest are safe. At home and around the world. And that's that's our objective -- Well that's very confusing yeah a lot of us are -- Well then why did they not invited. I can't tell if they're comin' we've the the balls and airport. Okay thank you bill Bill Clinton at the White House -- that was America's annual."
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