Obama Says Iranian Election Results Don’t Matter
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WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama Tuesday downplayed differences between Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his election foe Mir Hossein Mousavi, saying both were hostile towards the United States.
Obama made his latest comments in the Iranian crisis in an interview with CNBC television, after warning earlier that US “meddling” in the aftermath of the disputed election could backfire.
“I think it’s important to understand that although there is amazing ferment taking place in Iran, the difference between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi in terms of their actual policies may not be as great as has been advertised,” Obama said.
“Either way we were going to be dealing with an Iranian that has historically been hostile to the United States, that has caused some problems in the neighborhood and has been pursuing nuclear weapons.
“We have got long-term interests in having them not weaponize nuclear power and stop funding organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, and that would be true whoever came out on top in this election.
Obama also explained his reasons for not allowing the United States to be closely identified with opposition supporters protesting Ahmadinejad’s disputed election victory.
“The easiest way for reactionary forces inside Iran to crush reformers is to say it is the US that is encouraging those reformers,” Obama said.
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