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September 11, 2009

White House: Ahmadinejad should not expect invite to reception of leaders

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should not expect an invitation to a reception of world leaders hosted by President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at the end of the month, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said yesterday. More from Yahoo! News:

“I doubt it,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, when asked whether Ahmadinejad would be invited, at a time of extreme tension between Iran and the west over its nuclear program.

Why?

Gibbs answered: “Because Iran is failing to live up to its international obligations.”

Gibbs also hinted there may be some other world leaders who “might miss out on the hors d’oeuvers.” He did not reveal the guest list.

The UN meeting and the subsequent G20 summit in Pittsburgh are being seen as a chance for world powers to discuss whether to move ahead with a tough new regime of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

As is tradition, Ahmadinejad will be hosting his own reception in New York, which is usually attended by an array of Iranian Americans. It remains to be seen, however, whether members of the community will be as willing to attend given recent events.

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