W.H. Calls Ahmadinejad Iran’s “Elected Leader”

          
          W,H. Calls AIm'iadinejad Iran's “Elected Leader” Poliücal Hotsheet. C... http://www ,cbsmws.conilblogs/2009/08/04/polifics/politicalhotslret/ent..
          Political Hotshcct
          August 4, 2009 4:34 PM
          W.H. Calls Ahmadinejad Iran's “Elected
          Leader”
          Posted by Brian Montopoli
          mean America is refusing to recognize his legitimacy.
          At his press briefing Tuesday afternoon,
          ‘White House press secretary Robert
          Gibbs called President Mahmoud
          Akmadinejad “the elected leader” of Iran.
          After a reporter asked if the Obama
          administration recognizes Akmadinejad as
          the “legitimate president of Iran,” Gibbs
          responded with, “he's the elected leader.”
          Gibbs also said the fact that no U.S.
          representative is attending Alimadinejad's
          swearing-in ceremony tomorrow does not
          “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,” Gibbs said. “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.”
          The Iranian government has repeatedly faced off with protesters, dozens of whom were killed or
          wounded, since Abmadinejad's reelection in an election opponents say was stolen.
          (AP Photo/ISNA)
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          10/5/2009 3:54 PM