By NNN-KUNA,
Washington : Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon is unacceptable and “we have to mount an international effort to prevent that from happening,” US President-elect Barack Obama said on Friday.
“Iran’s support of terrorist organizations is something that has to cease,” he told reporters in Chicago during his first press conference since his decisive victory in the presidential election earlier this week.
“I will be reviewing the letter from President Ahmadinejad and we will respond appropriately,” Obama noted.
“It’s only been three days since the election and obviously how we approach and deal with a country like Iran is not something that we should simply do in a kneejerk fashion.”
Obama asserted that the “United States has only one government and one President at a time, and until January 20th of next year, that government is the current administration.” Responding to a question about his evaluation for the US Intelligence work, Obama said that “Our intelligence process can always improve. I think it has gotten better.” Concerning the current economic crisis Obama renewed his commitment to put fixing the economy on the top of his priorities as president.
“We face the economic challenge of our lifetime, and we’re going to have to act swiftly to resolve it,” Obama said. “Immediately after I become president, I’m going to confront this economic crisis head-on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hardworking families, and restore growth and prosperity.”
“We need a rescue plan for the middle class, a further extension of unemployment insurance benefits for workers who cannot find work in the increasingly weak economy,” Obama emphasized.
“A fiscal stimulus plan that will jump-start economic growth is long overdue.” He called for addressing the spreading impact of the financial crisis on the other sectors of the economy and helping the Auto industry to overcome its current crisis.
“The auto industry is the backbone of American manufacturing and a critical part of our attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Obama said. “I have made it a high priority for my transition team to work on additional policy options to help the auto industry adjust.”
Obama pledged to “review the implementation of this administration’s financial program to ensure that the government’s efforts are achieving their central goal of stabilizing financial markets while protecting taxpayers, helping homeowners and not unduly rewarding the management of financial firms that are receiving government assistance.”