Category: Aug2014

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili about bilateral relations, Georgia’s deepening partnership with NATO, and Georgia’s efforts to attract foreign investment and grow its economy.  The Vice President underscored his support for Georgia’s NATO membership aspirations as well as the United States’ steadfast commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial…

Today, in violation of its previous commitments and international law, Russian military vehicles painted to look like civilian trucks forced their way into Ukraine.  While a small number of these vehicles were inspected by Ukrainian customs officials, most of the vehicles have not been inspected by anyone but Russia. We condemn this action by Russia,…

The President spoke today with Chancellor Merkel of Germany regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, which has continued to deteriorate since the tragic downing of the Malaysian airliner last month.  The two leaders agreed that Russia sending a convoy into Ukraine without Ukraine’s approval is a further provocation and a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and…

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing today of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. His instrumental role in the 1993 Downing Street Declaration in London with former British Prime Minister John Major and his efforts to enact subsequent ceasefires paved the way for every major peace agreement for the last twenty years, and his…

The Edgartown School Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts 12:52 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Today, the entire world is appalled by the brutal murder of Jim Foley by the terrorist group, ISIL. Jim was a journalist, a son, a brother, and a friend.  He reported from difficult and dangerous places, bearing witness to the lives…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: Patricia Welbourn Lorsch – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Rusty Rueff – Member, Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the…

As the Department of Defense has now announced, earlier this summer the President authorized an operation to attempt the rescue of American citizens who were kidnapped and held by ISIL against their will in Syria. The President authorized action at this time because it was the national security team’s assessment that these hostages were in…

Eleven years ago today, 22 humanitarian aid workers were killed in a horrific attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.  Their lives were cut short as they worked selflessly to save others.  Each year on August 19 we pay homage to them, their colleagues worldwide who have been killed or injured in the line of…

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of North Dakota and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of June 25 to July 1, 2014. Federal funding also is available to state, tribal, and eligible…

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room **Please see below for a correction, marked with asterisks. 4:27 P.M. PDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Earlier today I received an update from my team on two separate issues that I’ve been following closely — our ongoing operation in Iraq and the situation in Ferguson, Missouri. With respect…