The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 17, 2014

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the President's Authorization of Operations in Iraq

Today, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (WPR), the President transmitted to the Congress a report notifying the Congress that he had authorized U.S. Armed Forces to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq to support Iraqi Security Force operations to retake and establish control over the Mosul Dam, a critical infrastructure site, as part of their ongoing campaign against ISIL.

This mission is consistent with President Obama's directive that the U.S. military protect U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq, since the failure of the Mosul Dam could threaten the lives of large numbers of civilians, threaten U.S. personnel and facilities -- including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad -- and prevent the Iraqi government from providing critical services to the Iraqi populace.

These operations are limited in their nature, duration, and scope and are being undertaken in coordination with and at the request of the Government of Iraq.

The Administration will continue to consult with the Congress on the way forward in Iraq and our efforts against ISIL, and we will continue to provide appropriate reports to the Congress consistent with the War Powers Resolution.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 16, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the situation in Ukraine. President Poroshenko noted that Ukrainian humanitarian assistance had already been delivered to the International Committee for the Red Cross, but that safe passage had still not been secured from the separatists for the delivery of Russian aid. The two leaders agreed that Russia’s sending military columns across the border into Ukraine and its continued provision of advanced weapons to the separatists was inconsistent with any desire to improve the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. Both leaders reaffirmed their support for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis and called on Russia to enter into good faith negotiations.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2014

Statement from NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Reports of Russian Armored Military Column in Ukraine

We are working to gather more information regarding reports that Ukraine’s security forces disabled vehicles in a Russian military convoy inside Ukraine.  We are not currently in a position to confirm these reports. Even as we work to gather information, we reiterate our concern about repeated Russian and Russian-supported incursions into Ukraine.  Russia has no right to send vehicles, persons, or cargo of any kind into Ukraine, under any pretext, without the Government of Ukraine’s permission. 

The escalation in Russian activity designed to destabilize Ukraine in recent weeks is extremely dangerous and provocative.  It includes supplying separatist fighters with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and multiple rocket launchers (MRLs).   Russia has also been firing artillery and rockets from Russian territory into Ukraine on a regular basis, and has been moving multiple-rocket launchers (MRLs) and surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs) across the border to fire on Ukrainian positions -- including its newest air defense systems, the SA-22, into eastern Ukraine.  

Yesterday, President Putin pledged to “do everything in (Russia’s) power” to end the conflict in Ukraine.  He can start by ending Russian firing into Ukraine; stopping its supply of weapons, support and cash to separatists; and closing the border to militants, including by facilitating an effective border monitoring mission under the auspices of the OSCE.  The U.S. strongly supports efforts to provide humanitarian support to Luhansk through the ICRC, provided that all conditions and modalities set forth by the ICRC and the Ukrainian government are agreed and strictly adhered to by all parties. The continued Russian military intervention into Ukraine is entirely at odds with legitimate efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and negotiate a peaceful resolution to the overall crisis. 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Romanian President Traian Basescu

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Romanian President Traian Basescu to discuss bilateral relations, the NATO Summit in Wales, and the situation in Ukraine. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Romania, and discussed the valuable contributions that Romania is making to international security. Vice President Biden and President Basescu agreed that NATO’s collective defense planning needs to be comprehensive and responsive to threats that may emanate from NATO’s east, south or southeast, and the two leaders exchanged views on their support and vision for NATO’s Readiness Action Plan that will be agreed to at the Summit in Wales. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, and expressed concern that any attempt by Russia to intervene in Ukraine under the guise of delivering humanitarian aid would be considered a breach of international law and violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2014

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the President's Travel to Estonia

President Obama will visit the Republic of Estonia in early September to further enhance the strong relations between the two countries, and to affirm America's commitment to our Baltic allies. In Tallinn, he will meet with President Ilves, as well as Prime Minister Roivas, to discuss bilateral ties, strategic and regional cooperation, and our shared commitment to the trans-Atlantic partnership.  The President will also meet with the three Baltic presidents -- President Ilves, President Berzins of Latvia, and President Grybauskaite of Lithuania -- to discuss ongoing cooperation on regional security and policies that support economic growth, and to discuss collective defense. In light of recent developments in Ukraine, the United States has taken steps to reassure allies in Central and Eastern Europe, and this trip is a chance to reaffirm our ironclad commitment to Article V as the foundation of NATO. After visiting Estonia, President Obama will proceed to Wales to participate in the Summit meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2014

Statement by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice on Iraq

Today, Iraqis took another major step forward in uniting their country.  We commend Prime Minister Maliki for his decision to support Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi in his efforts to form a new government in line with the Iraqi constitution.  We have heard from a wide range of leaders across the Iraqi political spectrum who have expressed their commitment to work with Dr. Abadi to form a broad, inclusive government with an agenda that can address the needs and legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi people.  In the last few days, we have also welcomed statements of support from all over the world for the new Prime Minister-designate.  These are encouraging developments that we hope can set Iraq on a new path and unite its people against the threat presented by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.  The United States remains committed to a strong partnership with Iraq and the Iraqi people.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2014

Vice President Biden to Travel to East Hartford, Connecticut

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, August 20th, Vice President Biden will travel to East Hartford, Connecticut for an event on workforce development and skills. Additional details about the Vice President’s trip are forthcoming.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2014

Readout of the President’s Calls to President Sirleaf of Liberia and President Koroma of Sierra Leone

President Obama spoke by phone today with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and separately with President Ernest Bai Koroma regarding the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. In his conversations with both leaders, the President underscored the commitment of the United States to work with Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other international partners to contain the outbreak and expressed his condolences for the lives lost. The leaders discussed ongoing mitigation measures, including those directed through the Monrovia-based U.S. Disaster Assistance Response Team and deployed personnel in both Liberia and Sierra Leone from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The President further noted that, while their participation was missed, he appreciated President Sirleaf and President Koroma’s decisions to forgo last week’s U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. to tend to the outbreak.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
August 13, 2014

President Obama Signs Tennessee Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of June 5-10, 2014.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in the counties of Anderson, Bledsoe, Carroll, Decatur, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Lawrence, Lewis, Madison, Marion, Maury, McNairy, Moore, Perry, Roane, Sequatchie, and Tipton. 

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.  

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named W. Michael Moore as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
August 13, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine. President Poroshenko informed the Vice President about discussions underway between Ukraine and Russia regarding the modalities for delivery of Ukrainian, Russian, and international humanitarian assistance to the people of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. The Vice President underscored that the United States would continue working with its international partners to press Russia to de-escalate the crisis, and end all support, arming, and financing of the separatists. The Vice President also stressed the United States’ support for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.