What Government Did Today

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Vice President Biden spoke with Sudanese Second Vice President Ali Osman Taha today regarding the upcoming referendum on the status of Southern Sudan. The Vice President underscored the United States' commitment to an on-time referendum and emphasized the importance of Sudanese commitment to finding a negotiated path forward on critical outstanding Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and post-referendum issues. He also underscored our ongoing concern about engagement with armed proxies and encouraged the Sudanese government to be reassuring and responsible in its messages and policies toward southerners in the north.

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Readout of the Vice President’s Call with the Sudanese Second Vice President

Release Time:  For Immediate Release On December 24th, Assistant to the President for Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security John Brennan convened an inter-agency coordination call with Secretary Napolitano, DNI Clapper, FBI Director Mueller, NCTC Director Leiter, Deputy Director of the CIA Morrell, National Security Staff travelling with the President in Hawaii, and other representatives from the counter-terrorism community. During the call, they reviewed the additional steps that are being taken to ensure vigilance throughout the holiday season, including enhanced security measures and close coordination with foreign partners.    (Link to Dec 22 Press Briefing with Robert Gibbs and John Brennan:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/press-briefing-press-secretary-robert-gibbs-and-assistant-president-coun )

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Readout of Inter-Agency Coordination Call to Respond to Holiday Threats

Release Time:  For Immediate Release SUBJECT:    Freezing Federal Employee Pay Schedules and Rates That Are Set By Administrative Discretion On November 29, 2010, I proposed a two-year freeze in the pay of civilian Federal employees as the first of a number of difficult actions required to put our Nation on a sound fiscal footing.

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Memorandum — Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Earlier this afternoon, President Obama called First Vice President of Sudan, Salva Kiir to discuss the status of peace negotiations and underscore the United States’ commitment to a peaceful and on-time referendum on Southern Sudanese self-determination that is just 16 days away.  The President underscored the importance of Vice President Kiir’s leadership during this volatile time period in Sudan’s history and urged Kiir to engage seriously with the National Congress Party in the coming days to resolve the outstanding issues related to Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) implementation and take actions to prevent outbreaks of violence.  The two agreed to continue the dialogue on the United States and the future of Southern Sudan.

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Readout of the President’s Call with First Vice President of Sudan Salva Kiir

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The President called President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria this afternoon to discuss the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire. The President congratulated President Jonathan for Nigeria’s resolute leadership in standing squarely behind the people of Cote d’Ivoire and insisting that the internationally-recognized results of the November 28 election be respected.  The President expressed admiration for the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in this regard, and informed President Jonathan about the steps the United States has taken recently, including our imposition of travel sanctions on persons supporting or benefiting from former President Gbagbo’s efforts to retain power.  The two Presidents agreed to continue consulting on this issue, which is so important to regional stability and democratic governance.

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Readout of the President’s Telephone Call with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The President will host Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China, at the White House on January 19 for an official State visit.  This will be the third State visit of the administration and reciprocates President Obama’s State visit to China in November 2009.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China

Release Time:  For Immediate Release On Wednesday, December 22, 2010, the President signed into law:   S.

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Statement by the Press Secretary, 12/22/2010

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Location:  South Court Auditorium, Eisenhower Executive Office Building 4:16 P.M. EST      THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  Good afternoon.  I know everybody is itching to get out of here and spend some time with their families.  I am, too.  I noticed some of you colleagues have been reporting from Hawaii over the last week.  But I just wanted to say a few words about the progress that we’ve made on some important issues over these last few weeks

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News Conference by The President

Release Time:  For Immediate Release NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE:   Agnes Gund, of New York, to be a Member of the National Council on the Arts for a term expiring September 3, 2016.  (New Position)

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Presidential Nomination Sent to the Senate, 12/22/2010

Release Time:  For Immediate Release On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Guinea as they witness the inauguration of their first democratically elected President since becoming an independent state in 1958.  Just over a year ago, the world’s attention was drawn to Guinea by horrifying atrocities and dangerous instability.  Today, people all over the world are coming together to congratulate Guinea, and to express genuine admiration for the voters who steadfastly acted to support peace and democracy.  They have set their country on a path for a more prosperous and stable future.

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Statement by the President on the Inauguration of President Conde of Guinea