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Other than that, how’d you enjoy the concert?

The White House review of today’s historic performance by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang, North Korea:

“The president thinks at the end of the day this is a concert. And it’s not going to change the behavior of a regime that is not being as forthcoming as we need them to be on their nuclear activities,” said White House press secretary Dana Perino.

“From there I suppose that additional cultural exchanges like the New York Philharmonic will be available, but you can’t help but think about all the people in North Korea who aren’t going to be able to hear this concert, and for those who are lucky enough to hear it I’m sure it will be memorable,” she said.

“What I’m saying is that what is a condition for future engagement with North Korea is for them to meet their (international) obligations. If they don’t meet their … obligations all sorts of things won’t happen, like increased communication, increased economic development, increased trade, increased cultural exchanges - all the things that many other countries in the world enjoy because they are not suffocating their own people,” Perino said.

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