Originally published on the CGS blog on June 23, 2009.
President Obama held a news conference in the Rose Garden on the afternoon of June 23, 2009, his first ever in this location.
He began by condemning the violent governmental response to protests in Iran, declaring that “…we deplore the violence against innocent civilians anywhere it takes place.” He also commended “the courage and the dignity” of the Iranian people, saying the nature of the protests show that “no iron first is strong enough to shut off the world from bearing witness to peaceful protests of justice.”
He stressed that “the Iranian people have a universal right to assembly and free speech” and advised that “if the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect those rights and heed the will of its own people.” He added that “it is not too late for the Iranian government to recognize that there is a peaceful path that will lead to stability and legitimacy and prosperity for the Iranian people.”
President Obama also discussed energy policy in his opening remarks. He referenced H.R. 2454 and noted the many benefits of adopting this legislation, including the development of incentives that “will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy.” He stated his belief that the bill “will open the door to a better future for this nation, and that’s why I urge members of Congress to come together and pass it.”
To read the full transcript of the press release, click here.
