What Government Did Today

As Prepared for Delivery – “Already, nearly half the Afghan people live in places where Afghan Security Forces are moving into the lead. This month, at a NATO Summit in Chicago, our coalition will set a goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for combat operations across the country next year

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Excerpts of the President’s Address to the Nation from Afghanistan

In May 2010, in Washington, DC, President Obama and President Karzai committed our two countries to negotiate and conclude a strategic partnership that would provide a framework for our future relationship.  On May 1, 2012, President Obama and President Karzai signed the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America . The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) is a legally binding executive agreement, undertaken between two sovereign nations.  The President’s goal in negotiating such an agreement has been to define with the Afghan Government what's on the other side of Transition and the completed drawdown of U.S.

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Fact Sheet: The U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE May 1, 2012 Dear Mr.

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Letter — Prohibiting Certain Transactions with and Suspending Entry into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders with Respect to Iran and Syria

EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH AND SUSPENDING ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES OF FOREIGN SANCTIONS EVADERS WITH RESPECT TO IRAN AND SYRIA By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq .) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq .), section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (8 U.S.C.

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Executive Order — Prohibiting Certain Transactions with and Suspending Entry into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders with Respect to Iran and Syria

EXECUTIVE ORDER – - – - – - – PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY COOPERATION By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote international regulatory cooperation, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1 . Policy . Executive Order 13563 of January 18, 2011 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), states that our regulatory system must protect public health, welfare, safety, and our environment while promoting economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation

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Executive Order — Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation

Olympic Training Center Colorado Springs, Colorado 3:52 P.M. MDT MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you so much.  Wow.  (Applause.)  Everyone, please, rest yourselves

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Remarks by the First Lady at the Opening Ceremony of the Warrior Games

President Obama met with Prime Minister Noda in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2012.  In addition to releasing the “U.S.-Japan Joint Statement: A Shared Vision for the Future,” the two leaders announced the following cooperative initiatives, which are aimed at strengthening and expanding the U.S.-Japan relationship in the areas of security cooperation, economic partnership, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

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Fact Sheet: United States-Japan Cooperative Initiatives

The U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.  This partnership has underwritten the dynamic growth and prosperity of the region for 60 years. The strength of this Alliance, which was demonstrated during the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, is founded on the close bonds between our two nations and our people.  These bonds will continue to anchor and sustain our partnership.  Japan and the United States share a commitment to democracy, the rule of law, open societies, human rights, human security, and free and open markets; these values guide us in our joint efforts to address the global challenges of our time. The U.S.-Japan partnership continues to be defined by our enduring commitment to the maintenance of peace.  Over the decades, our Alliance has steadily developed into a comprehensive partnership that contributes to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, an important center for global economic growth, and beyond.  Japan and the United States pledge to fulfill our roles and responsibilities by utilizing the full range of capabilities to advance regional and global peace, prosperity and security.  Our cooperation and dialogue extend to all levels and areas of government and the private sector

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United States-Japan Joint Statement: A Shared Vision for the Future

Via Conference Call 4:05 P.M. EDT     MS.

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Background Briefing by Senior Administration Official on the Visit of Prime Minister Noda of Japan

In 2011, the worst drought in 60 years struck the Horn of Africa.  The United Nations declared famine in six regions of Somalia, threatening the lives of over 250,000 Somalis, and requiring urgent humanitarian assistance for more than 13.3 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya and other parts of Somalia.  The international community responded and famine conditions abated in January 2012.  Nevertheless, today, more than 9 million people still remain in need of emergency assistance in Horn of Africa.  To prevent a worsening of the fragile humanitarian situation and more people requiring emergency aid, the United States Government is providing an additional $120 million to those in need of emergency assistance in the Horn of Africa.  This assistance is targeted to avoid the crisis from escalating in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia where the lateness and insufficiency of rains are expected to have a significant negative impact on crop production.  We commend Ethiopia and Kenya for building the resiliency of their nations to mitigate the shock of food insecurity and drought, as well as their effort to host and provide a safe place for Somali refugees.  This contribution brings the total U.S. assistance for the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa to more than $1.1 billion since the crisis began in 2011.  We urge the international community to continue their support and assistance to those in need of emergency assistance in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia with the objective of building resiliency in order to save lives

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Statement by the Press Secretary on the Horn of Africa Humanitarian Crisis