President Barack Obama held a news conference with Brazil President Dilma Rousseff Tuesday at the White House. Here’s the event at a glance:
The MAIN ITEM:
Obama said the United States is prepared to walk away from negotiations occurring now in Vienna to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapon if it’s a “bad deal.” But even if that happens Obama said he will continue to seek the release of U.S. prisoners in Iran.
The United States and five other world powers announced the framework of a deal to limit Iran’s ability to build nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Details are still being worked out and a June 30 deadline has been extended.
“There are deep-seated disagreements and divisions between the United States and Iran,” Obama said. “And those aren't going to go away overnight. The goal of the nuclear negotiations is not to rely on trust but to set up a verifiable mechanism where we are cutting off the pathways for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.”
OTHER BUSINESS:
–The two presidents have turned a page in their relationship. They said they have moved past allegations that the U.S. spied on Rousseff that led her to cancel a scheduled state visit in 2013. Rousseff said she believes Obama when he says the U.S. is not spying on allies. Obama said he trusts Rousseff completely.
—Obama said that last week was a good week – which some analysts are calling his best week as president – when the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage, Congress passed hard-fought trade legislation and he delivered a heartfelt eulogy for a slain pastor in Charleston. “Last week was gratifying,” he said. He said he plans to use his political capital to work with Congress to rebuild aging infrastructure, change the criminal justice system and boost job training. “I might see if we can make next week even better.”
HE SAID IT:
“To see people gathered in an evening outside on a beautiful summer night and to feel whole and to feel accepted and to feel that they had a right to love, that was pretty cool,” Obama said of the White House being lit up in rainbow colors in celebration of the Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage. “And the only bad part about it was I couldn't go out and peek at it myself. ... I could only reflect on it from a television screen. That's a moment worth savoring.”
BY THE NUMBERS:
4 questions were asked
THE VISIT:
Rousseff arrived in the United States Sunday on a three-day visit, capped by an Oval Office meeting with Obama in which the two announced a climate change agreement, discussed economic and trade issues and Venezuela. The two also toured the Martin Luther King memorial. This is Rousseff’s second trip to the White House.
Phone: 202-383-6017; Twitter: @anitakumar01.
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