What Government Did Today

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The United States of America and the Republic of Iraq are committed to forging a strong partnership based on mutual interests that will continue to grow for years to come.  Our two nations are entering a new phase in our relationship.  We have a historic opportunity to strengthen our ties beyond security and build a multi-faceted relationship through trade, education, culture, law enforcement, environment, energy, and other important areas. Three years ago, our nations signed the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), affirming both sides’ desire to establish long-term bonds of cooperation and friendship.  The SFA is a lasting agreement, and one that serves as the foundation on which we are building a durable and mutually beneficial relationship.  Today, we gather again in Baghdad to reaffirm our commitment to this important partnership and to the principles of cooperation, sovereignty, and mutual respect articulated in the SFA.  Vice President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki convened the SFA’s Higher Coordinating Committee on November 30.  Together, they affirmed the significant accomplishments under the SFA thus far and charted a course for further joint efforts.  Cultural and Education Cooperation The Republic of Iraq seeks the cooperation of the United States in its efforts to build a stronger higher education system, expanding English language programs, and preserving Iraq’s rich cultural heritage, especially through assistance in conserving archeological sites such as the Babylon historical site, which the United States has helped preserve, and through support to the Iraqi Institute for Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage.  Energy Cooperation The United States is committed to supporting the Republic of Iraq in its efforts to develop the energy sector

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Joint Statement by The United States of America and The Republic of Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee

Location:  Prime Minister’s Residence, Baghdad, Iraq 12:45 P.M. Local      PRIME MINISTER AL-MALIKI:  (In progress as interpreted) And we are looking forward to the future Iraq which is going to be built on the outcome of this meeting.  We have to believe that in the (inaudible) to go forward and arrive at this day, it is the outcome of the joint commitment; and that we may have a long way to go.  We have to continue to communicate, hold meetings, to exchange ideas in order to put into practice the vision that we both have.  We would like to thank you and your delegation for having taken the trouble to come all this way to press this case, and for the opportunity (inaudible) program that's going to be a very beneficial one.  During our forthcoming visit to Washington, D.C., hopefully we complete what we have started here Baghdad now.  Thank you very much.       THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, Mr. Prime Minister, we’re — as I said, the President personally asked me to tell you how much he’s looking forward to your coming to Washington.  And I want to thank you and the Foreign Minister and others for recognizing the sacrifice the General’s troops have made to get to this place.  But to suggest the future of Iraq rests upon our relationship I think gives us too much credit.  We are absolutely committed to being your partner to the extent you want us to be.  And as self-serving as it may sound, we believe we can be helpful.  But it’s the leadership of you and the civilian leadership in Iraq that's going to determine the future of Iraq.  It’s remarkable what you’ve accomplished so far.  I remember our first meeting yours and mine.  You wanted to talk –  PRIME MINISTER AL-MALIKI:  Which year was it?  THE VICE PRESIDENT:  It was — I think 2008.  I think.  It may have been earlier actually.  FOREIGN MINISTER HOSHYAR ZEBARI:  2007.  PRIME MINISTER AL-MALIKI:  Before the –  THE VICE PRESIDENT:  It was — it was before.  It was way before.  Then I remember our first meeting when I was Vice President.  You leaned up in your chair and you said, the strategic framework agreement that's what we should focus on.  Remember?  (Laughter.)  And thank God we reached the place where we can now almost exclusively focus on the strategic framework agreement.  PRIME MINISTER AL-MALIKI:  Actually, Mr.

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Remarks by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Vice President Joe Biden at a Bilateral Meeting

Release Time:  For Immediate Release James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 2:23 P.M

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Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney and Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers Alan Krueger

Release Time:  For Immediate Release On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, the President signed into law: H.R.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 3321 and S. 1637

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Oval Office 2:33 P.M. EST PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Hello, everybody.  It is wonderful to welcome Prime Minister Rutte and his delegation to the White House.  Part of the reason we wanted to make this meeting happen is because we have no stronger ally than the Netherlands.  They consistently punch above their weight on a whole range of issues related to global security.  Prime Minister Rutte has been a strong supporter of NATO, as was his predecessor, and we've been able to work together on a whole host of issues.  They've made an enormous contribution to Afghanistan; they made a very important contribution to Libya; on anti-piracy.  On a whole host of issues, the Netherlands consistently is supportive of efforts for our joint security, and we're very grateful for that.

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Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands Before Bilateral Meeting

Release Time:  For Immediate Release The United States condemns in the strongest terms the storming of the British Embassy in Tehran.  Iran has a responsibility to protect the diplomatic missions present in its country and the personnel stationed at them.  We urge Iran to fully respect its international obligations, to condemn the incident, to prosecute the offenders, and to ensure that no further such incidents take place either at the British Embassy or any other mission in Iran.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on the Storming of the British Embassy in Tehran

Release Time:  For Immediate Release President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Almazbek Atambayev on December 1, 2011. The Honorable Pamela L.

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President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Almazbek Atambayev

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Location:  Via Teleconference 3:03 P.M. EST         MS. BARKOFF:  Thank you, and thanks for joining the call today.  Our hope is to provide you all with a more detailed sense of the Vice President’s schedule and his goals on his trip to Greece and Turkey.  With us today we have National Security Advisor to the Vice President Tony Blinken.  We have United States Special Envoy to the Organization for Islamic Cooperation Rashad Hussain and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman.

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Press Briefing Conference Call on the Vice President’s Trip to Turkey and Greece

The Supreme Court granted cert this morning in Hill v.

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Supreme Court to Decide if Sentencing for Crack is Wack

Release Time:  For Immediate Release Roosevelt Room 2:01 P.M.

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Statements by President Obama, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso after meeting