The Barack Obama Fan Club

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on al-Shabaab’s Attack on the United Nations in Somalia

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:48:00 +0000

The United States condemns in the strongest terms al-Shabaab’s despicable attack on the United Nations in Somalia today. The attack targeted people and organizations working in partnership with the Somali Government to provide health services, clean water, sanitation, education, and economic opportunity – people striving to build a better future for the Somali people. We commend the brave and swift response by the Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia, and send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of this heinous act.

Today’s attack highlights the repugnant terrorist tactics al-Shabaab continues to use to stand in the way of efforts to ease the suffering of the Somali people. Whether by denying food and medical aid during one of the region’s worst droughts, or by repeated attacks against fellow Somalis and soldiers helping to build a lasting peace, al-Shabaab has shown again and again that it stands on the side of death and destruction.

The United States remains a steadfast partner of the Somali people and their government as they work to build a safer, more prosperous future. We reiterate our strong support for the important work of the United …read more
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Remarks by President Obama and German Chancellor Merkel in an Exchange of Toasts — Berlin, Germany

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:25:00 +0000

By The White House

Schloss Charlottenburg
Berlin, Germany

7:25 P.M. CEST

CHANCELLOR MERKEL: (As interpreted.) Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you all, also on behalf of Professor Sauer, to this dinner here at Charlottenburg Palace. And, obviously, I would like to bid a very special and very warm welcome to our guest of honor, the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and his wife, Michelle — a very warm welcome to you.

And let me say that I am personally very grateful to be able to welcome you here tonight, because this affords me again to thank you for the wonderful reception, for the wonderful evening we had. And I’m able to say this also on behalf of the whole — of the Federal Republic of Germany, because I am aware obviously that this was an honor that was granted to me on behalf of my country when two years ago you gave us this wonderful and gracious reception in the Rose Garden of the White House. And we still have very fond memories. This was indeed a very moving moment, and we greatly appreciated the warmth of your hospitality and also the friendship …read more
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President Obama and Chancellor Merkel Hold a Press Conference

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:54:21 +0000

President Obama and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany hold a press conference. June 19, 2013.

President Obama Speaks to the People of Berlin

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:58:49 +0000

President Obama delivers remarks at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. June 19, 2013.

Remarks by President Obama at the Brandenburg Gate — Berlin, Germany

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:51:00 +0000

By The White House

Pariser Platz, Brandenburg Gate
Berlin, Germany

3:29 P.M. CEST

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Hello, Berlin! (Applause.) Thank you, Chancellor Merkel, for your leadership, your friendship, and the example of your life — from a child of the East to the leader of a free and united Germany.

As I’ve said, Angela and I don’t exactly look like previous German and American leaders. But the fact that we can stand here today, along the fault line where a city was divided, speaks to an eternal truth: No wall can stand against the yearning of justice, the yearnings for freedom, the yearnings for peace that burns in the human heart. (Applause.)

Mayor Wowereit, distinguished guests, and especially the people of Berlin and of Germany — thank you for this extraordinarily warm welcome. In fact, it's so warm and I feel so good that I'm actually going to take off my jacket, and anybody else who wants to, feel free to. (Applause.) We can be a little more informal among friends. (Applause.)

As your Chancellor mentioned, five years ago I had the privilege to address …read more
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Presidential Memorandum — Delegation of Reporting Functions

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:10:00 +0000

By The White House

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

SUBJECT: Delegation of Reporting Functions Specified in Section 491 of Title 10, United States Code

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, I hereby delegate to you the reporting functions conferred upon the President by section 491 of title 10, United States Code.

You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

…read more
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Remarks by President Obama and German Chancellor Merkel in Joint Press Conference

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:53:00 +0000

By The White House

German Chancellery
Berlin, Germany

12:46 P.M. CEST

CHANCELLOR MERKEL: (As interpreted.) A very warm welcome to the President of the United States, Barack Obama. A very warm welcome indeed to Berlin. It’s his first visit to Berlin as President of the United States — certainly not his first visit to Germany.

We have had on numerous occasions the opportunity to talk. We have established ties of friendship based on trust. And I would like to thank you for this. Our cooperation is based on ties of friendship that have lasted for many, many decades between the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States. And this is such a very good relationship because it is based on shared values. When the President addresses the crowd in front of the Brandenburg Gate, it will be a President who can do this in front of a gate that is open. The President had to remind us all of the wall needed to be torn down and the wall is down. And this is what we owe to our American partners and friends.

But we also see that …read more
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FACT SHEET: Nuclear Weapons Employment Strategy of the United States

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:31:00 +0000

By The White House

Today, the President announced new guidance that aligns U.S. nuclear policies to the 21st century security environment. This is the latest in a series of concrete steps the President has made to advance his Prague agenda and the long-term goal of achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.

Following the release of the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and ratification of the New START Treaty, the President directed the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of State, Department of Energy, and the intelligence community, to conduct a detailed analysis of U.S. nuclear deterrence requirements and policy in order to ensure U.S. nuclear posture and plans are aligned to address today’s security environment. This review was based on the principle that a robust assessment of today’s security environment and resulting Presidential guidance must drive nuclear employment planning, force structure, and posture decisions.

The President’s new guidance:

affirms that the United States will maintain a credible deterrent, capable of convincing any potential adversary that the adverse consequences of attacking the United States or our allies and partners far outweigh any potential benefit they may seek to gain through an attack.
directs DOD to align U.S. defense …read more
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President Obama’s Bilateral Meeting with President François Hollande of France

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:44:59 +0000

President Obama and President François Hollande of France speak to the press after a bilateral meeting in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland. June 18, 2013.

President Obama’s Bilateral Meeting with President François Hollande of France

admin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:44:59 +0000

President Obama and President François Hollande of France speak to the press after a bilateral meeting in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland. June 18, 2013.