Reuters: Iran’s call for a presidential debate with the United States on global concerns is a “diversion” from international concerns over its nuclear program, the White House said on Tuesday.
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Iran’s call for a presidential debate with the United States on global concerns is a “diversion” from international concerns over its nuclear program, the White House said on Tuesday.
As Iran faces an August 31 U.N. deadline to suspend uranium enrichment, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad challenged President Bush to a televised debate.
“Talk of a debate is just a diversion from the legitimate concerns that the international community, not just the U.S., has about Iran’s behavior — from support for terrorism to pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.