Category: September2014

One year ago, our dedicated military and civilian personnel at the Washington Navy Yard were targeted in an unspeakable act of violence that took the lives of 12 American patriots. As we remember men and women taken from us so senselessly, we keep close their family and friends, stand with the survivors who continue to…

National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met yesterday with ROK National Security Office Director Kim Kwan-Jin at the White House.  Ambassador Rice and Director Kim affirmed their strong commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance and discussed a number of bilateral, regional and global issues.  In particular, they affirmed the need for close coordination and cooperation in…

The President met today at the White House with General John Allen, the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and Ambassador Brett McGurk, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy. The President underscored the importance of maximizing coordination with allies and partners to build a strong coalition…

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk today to congratulate him on Ukraine’s ratification of its Association Agreement with the European Union. The Vice President also congratulated the Prime Minister on the passage of laws on Amnesty and Special Status for parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, in…

East Room 1:52 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House.  More than four decades ago, in early 1970, an American squad in Vietnam set out on patrol.  They marched down a trail, past a rice paddy.  Shots rang out and splintered the bamboo above their heads.  The lead soldier tripped…

Dr. Jill Biden has arrived in Zurich, Switzerland. During her two-day visit, Dr. Biden will travel to Uzwil, to tour Bühler, a company with a global apprenticeship program, including apprenticeships in the U.S., where she will have the chance to see an integrated program in practice, and talk with apprentices to learn about their experiences. This…

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE SUBJECT:      Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2015 Pursuant to section 706(1) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228) (FRAA), I hereby identify the following countries as major drug transit and/or major illicit drug…

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Charlotte A. Burrows, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2019, vice Jacqueline A. Berrien, resigned. Benjamin L. Cardin, of Maryland, to be a Representative of the United States of America to the Sixty-ninth Session of…

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President reiterated his comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group ISIL. His plan brings together a campaign of targeted airstrikes, increased support for Iraqi and Kurdish forces already taking on terrorists, assistance from allies and partners, expanded efforts to train and…

The United States strongly condemns the barbaric murder of UK citizen David Haines by the terrorist group ISIL. Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Haines and to the people of the United Kingdom. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder tonight with our close friend and ally in grief and resolve. We…