Reaction was more subdued at the State Department, where Acting Spokesman Robert Wood said Monday's Security Council statement condemning the missile launch and threatening tougher sanctions spoke for itself, and that retaliation would only mean further isolation for Pyongyang.

VOA: standard.2009.04.14

The State Department said Monday the administration still has a hand extended to Iran despite the chilly reaction by Iran's supreme leader to Mr.Obama's videotaped holiday greeting to Iran late last week, in which he said the United States seeks honest engagement with Iran's Islamic government based on mutual respect.

VOA: standard.2009.03.23