[CNN] President Obama said Tuesday that Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent characterization of the Israeli government as "racist" was part of a disappointing pattern that threatens to undermine the prospect of warmer relations between Washington and Tehran. "This is the kind of rhetoric that we've come to expect from President Ahmadinejad....Many of the statements that [he has] made, particularly those directed at Israel, [are] appalling and objectionable." Obama nevertheless promised to continue to pursue "tough, direct diplomacy" with the Iranian regime. "We will continue to pursue the possibility of improved relations and a resolution to some of the critical issues in which there have been differences, particularly around the nuclear issue."
2009-04-22 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive