The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 16, 2013

Op-Ed by President Obama: A Partnership That Delivers

The piece was published today in Turkish by Turkish Daily “Sabah” and can be found here. The full English text of the op-ed by President Obama is printed below.

A Partnership That Delivers
By President Barack Obama

Turkey and the United States have been partners since shortly after the birth of the modern Turkish Republic.  As NATO allies, we have defended our common security for more than six decades.  And in the United States we are grateful for the many Turkish-Americans who enrich our national life every day.

Today, when I welcome my friend Prime Minister Erdogan back to the White House, we’ll chart the next steps in our alliance—a partnership that delivers security, prosperity and progress for both our peoples.

On a personal level, the prime minister’s visit will be another opportunity for me to reciprocate the hospitality that he and the Turkish people showed me when I visited Ankara and Istanbul during my first year in office.  I came to Turkey during my first overseas trip as president because I am committed to an even deeper relationship with our Turkish friends.  Four years later, U.S.-Turkish relations are as strong as ever, and Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit will allow us to expand our cooperation in several important areas.

First, we will reaffirm our solemn obligation to our shared security.  As allies, our commitment to our collective defense is unwavering, as demonstrated by NATO’s deployment of Patriot missile defenses to help protect the Turkish people.   And I applaud the prime minister’s courageous efforts to seek a lasting peace in Turkey after the PKK violence that has taken so many innocent lives.  The United States strongly supports Turkey’s efforts to defend itself from terrorism, even as we support efforts to uphold rule of law, good governance and human rights.  

Just as our nations stood together after the attack this year on our embassy compound in Ankara, we condemn last week’s outrageous bombings in Reyhanli, which killed innocent Turkish civilians.  To our Turkish friends, we say basiniz sag olsun.  In Washington, we’ll have the opportunity to deepen our security cooperation, including against the threat from terrorist groups like al-Qaeda.        

Second, we can continue increasing U.S.-Turkish trade and create more jobs for our people.  Our aerospace companies are moving ahead with $3.5 billion deal to jointly build our most advanced helicopter.  American and Turkish pharmaceutical and research firms can partner to realize state-of-the art Turkish health care.  We can collaborate on clean energy and energy efficiency to meet Turkey’s growing energy needs.  And our technology companies can help put the most advanced educational tools in the hands of Turkish children and help turn Turkey into a regional hub of educational software and innovation. 

Meanwhile, we can expand educational exchanges so we bring more American students to Turkey and more Turkish students to the United States.  Like the extraordinary students I met in Turkey four years ago, these young people can help drive Turkish innovation and help Turkey reach its goal of becoming one of the world’s ten largest economies.  

Third, Prime Minister Erdogan and I will address regional challenges, including our shared interest in a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and the need to support democratic transitions in Egypt and Libya.  And even as we recognize that sanctions on Iran bring costs for countries like Turkey, we need to keep standing together to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, which would threaten the entire region, including Turkey.  

Most urgently, we need to keep working together to end the Assad regime’s horrific slaughter of the Syrian people.  Prime Minister Erdogan and I will discuss how we can keep increasing the pressure on the Assad regime, strengthening the moderate opposition, and preparing for a transition to a democratic Syria without Bashar Assad.  At the same time, the United States will continue to provide critical humanitarian relief to Syrian refugees, including those in Turkey who owe so much to the tremendous generosity of the Turkish people.

Finally, given Turkey’s growing role on the world stage, I look forward to consulting with Prime Minister Erdogan on global challenges.  Our forces continue to serve bravely together in Afghanistan, where Afghans will soon take the lead for their own security.  We’re partners in promoting security and stability in Africa.  And as members of the G-20, we can help sustain the global economic recovery with a focus on creating jobs and opportunity for our people.   

This is an ambitious agenda, but it reflects the many interests our nations share as well as Turkey’s unique place in the world.  As I told the Turkish parliament four years ago, “Turkey's greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things.  This is not where East and West divide – this is where they come together.” 

I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Erdogan back to Washington.  And I’m confident that if our two great nations continue to work closely together, our alliance will continue to deliver the security, prosperity and progress that our citizens deserve.

###

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013

Statement by the President

East Room

6:21 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I just finished speaking with Secretary Lew and senior officials at the Treasury Department to discuss the investigation into IRS personnel who improperly screened conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.  And I look forward to taking some questions at tomorrow’s press conference, but today, I wanted to make sure to get out to all of you some information about what we’re doing about this, and where we go from here.

I’ve reviewed the Treasury Department watchdog’s report, and the misconduct that it uncovered is inexcusable.  It’s inexcusable, and Americans are right to be angry about it, and I am angry about it.  I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in any agency, but especially in the IRS, given the power that it has and the reach that it has into all of our lives.  And as I said earlier, it should not matter what political stripe you’re from -- the fact of the matter is, is that the IRS has to operate with absolute integrity.  The government generally has to conduct itself in a way that is true to the public trust. That’s especially true for the IRS.

So here’s what we’re going to do.

First, we’re going to hold the responsible parties accountable.  Yesterday, I directed Secretary Lew to follow up on the IG audit to see how this happened and who is responsible, and to make sure that we understand all the facts.  Today, Secretary Lew took the first step by requesting and accepting the resignation of the acting commissioner of the IRS, because given the controversy surrounding this audit, it’s important to institute new leadership that can help restore confidence going forward.

Second, we’re going to put in place new safeguards to make sure this kind of behavior cannot happen again.  And I’ve directed Secretary Lew to ensure the IRS begins implementing the IG’s recommendations right away.

Third, we will work with Congress as it performs its oversight role.  And our administration has to make sure that we are working hand in hand with Congress to get this thing fixed.  Congress, Democrats and Republicans, owe it to the American people to treat that authority with the responsibility it deserves and in a way that doesn’t smack of politics or partisan agendas.  Because I think one thing that you’ve seen is, across the board, everybody believes what happened in -- as reported in the IG report is an outrage.  The good news is it’s fixable, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to work together to fix it.

I’ll do everything in my power to make sure nothing like this happens again by holding the responsible parties accountable, by putting in place new checks and new safeguards, and going forward, by making sure that the law is applied as it should be -- in a fair and impartial way.  And we’re going to have to make sure that the laws are clear so that we can have confidence that they are enforced in a fair and impartial way, and that there’s not too much ambiguity surrounding these laws. 

So that's what I expect.  That's what the American people deserve.  And that's what we’re going to do.

Thank you very much.

END
6:25 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Danny Russel – Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
• Rick Metsger – Member, National Credit Union Administration Board

The President also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Michael G. Whitaker – Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
• Alphonso Maldon, Jr. – Member and Chair, Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission
• Mary C. Pete – Member, Arctic Research Commission

President Obama said, “These fine public servants both bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles.  Our nation will be well-served by these men and women, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Danny Russel, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Department of State
Danny Russel, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, is Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs on the White House National Security Staff (NSS).  From 2009 to 2011, he was the NSS Director for Japan, South Korea, and North Korea.  Before joining the NSS, Mr. Russel was Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the Department of State.  From 2005 to 2008, he was U.S. Consul General in Osaka-Kobe, Japan.  Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague from 2002 to 2005, and as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus from 1999 to 2002.  From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Russel was Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.  Earlier assignments included posts at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea and with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.  Before joining the Foreign Service in 1985, Mr. Russel was a manager for an international firm based in New York City.

Rick Metsger, Nominee for Member, National Credit Union Administration Board
Rick Metsger is President of Parakletos Strategic Public Affairs LLC, a position he has held since 2010.  Prior to this, Mr. Metsger served in the Oregon State Senate from 1999 to 2011, and as Senate President Pro Tempore  from 2009 to 2011.  From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Metsger worked as a Principal at Metsger Forbes LLC.  He was Principal of NewsMedia Dynamics Inc. from 1992 to 1999.  Mr. Metsger was a news anchor and reporter for KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon from 1977 to 1992.  He served on the State Treasury Debt Policy Advisory Commission from 2001 to 2011 and was on the Board of Directors of Portland Teachers Credit Union from 1993 to 2001.  Mr. Metsger received a B.S. and an M.A.T. from Lewis & Clark College.
 
President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Michael G. Whitaker, Appointee for Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
Michael G. Whitaker most recently served as a Board Member and Business Development Consultant for InterGlobe Enterprises from 2011 to 2012.  Prior to this, Mr. Whitaker was a Group Chief Executive Officer within InterGlobe Enterprises from 2009 to 2011.  From 1994 to 2009, he served at United Airlines, most recently as Senior Vice President for Alliances, International, and Regulatory Affairs.  Prior to that, he served at Trans World Airlines from 1991 to 1994, most recently as Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory and International Affairs.  Mr. Whitaker received a B.A. from the University of Louisville and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center. 

Alphonso Maldon, Jr., Appointee for Member and Chair, Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission
Alphonso Maldon, Jr. is Founder, President, and CEO of Partnership Strategies Consulting in Virginia.  He is also part-owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club.  Before launching Partnership Strategies Consulting in 2009, Mr. Maldon was Senior Vice President for External Affairs for the Washington Nationals and President of the Dream Foundation, the Washington Nationals’ philanthropic arm.  Before joining the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, Mr. Maldon was Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Management Officer for Government Banking Services for PNC Financial Services Group in Washington, D.C.  Previously, he was Executive Vice President with Fleet Boston Financial and Bank of America.  From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Maldon served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy.  Prior to that, he served as Deputy Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs at the White House and White House Congressional Liaison to the United States Senate and House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999.  From 1994 to 1995, he was Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office.  Mr. Maldon served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1993 and retired with the rank of Colonel.  He received a B.S. from Florida A&M and an M.A. from the University of Oklahoma.

Mary C. Pete, Appointee for Member, Arctic Research Commission
Mary C. Pete is the Director of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Kuskokwim Campus in Bethel, Alaska, a position she has held since 2005.  She was first appointed to the Artic Research Commission by President Obama in 2010.  Prior to that, from 1996 to 2005, she served as the Director of the Division of Subsistence for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.  From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Pete was an instructor in the Department of Rural Development at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and a Subsistence Resource Specialist from 1984 to 1993.  From 2005 to 2009 she served as a member of the North Pacific Research Board Science Panel.  Ms. Pete received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic

Vice President Biden met with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic this afternoon in Washington.  The Vice President reiterated the United States’ commitment to a strong and growing bilateral partnership with Serbia.  The Vice President congratulated Prime Minister Dacic on reaching an initial agreement in the EU-facilitated Dialogue to normalize Serbia’s relationship with Kosovo.  This agreement holds the promise of advancing the European aspirations of both countries and securing a peaceful and prosperous future for their citizens.  Prime Minister Dacic and his government showed leadership and conviction in taking this important step.  The Vice President underscored the importance of Serbia and Kosovo moving forward expeditiously to meet their Dialogue commitments and to implement the agreement in full.  The Vice President encourages both Serbia and Kosovo to take this historic opportunity to move their countries forward.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013

Statement by the Press Secretary on the visit of President Thein Sein of Myanmar to the White House

President Obama will welcome His Excellency President Thein Sein to the White House on Monday, May 20, 2013.  Since President Obama’s historic trip to Rangoon last November, the United States has continued to advocate for continued progress on reform by President Thein Sein’s government, in close cooperation with Aung San Suu Kyi, civil society leaders, and the international community.  The President looks forward to discussing with President Thein Sein the many remaining challenges to efforts to develop democracy, address communal and ethnic tensions, and bring economic opportunity to the people of his country, and to exploring how the United States can help.

President Thein Sein’s visit underscores President Obama’s commitment to supporting and assisting those governments that make the important decision to embrace reform, and highlights the dedication of the United States to helping the Burmese people realize the full potential of their extraordinary country.
 

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
May 15, 2013

Dr. Jill Biden to Deliver 2013 Commencement Address at Navajo Technical College

On Friday, May 17th, at 10:00 AM MT/ 12:00 PM ET, Dr. Jill Biden will deliver the commencement address at Navajo Technical College in Crownpoint, New Mexico.  Dr. Biden will address the 33rd graduating class of Navajo Technical College (NTC), one of two tribal colleges serving the Navajo Nation. NTC was recently recognized for the second consecutive year by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program as being one of the top 120 community colleges in the United States, in part because of its graduation rate near 80 percent.

NTC offers 20 certificate programs, 15 associate degrees, and six baccalaureate degrees to a student population of nearly 1,800 students. Many of the programs at NTC are designed to help create new jobs and economic opportunities on or near the Navajo Nation, while equipping their students with the skills they need to succeed in those jobs.  Through this approach, NTC has developed partnerships and collaborations with other universities, including Arizona State University, the private sector, and federal agencies.

The commencement, including Dr. Biden’s remarks, will be live streamed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/navajo-tech-crownpoint-nm.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2013

Statement by the President

I have now had the opportunity to review the Treasury Department watchdog’s report on its investigation of IRS personnel who improperly targeted conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.  And the report’s findings are intolerable and inexcusable.  The federal government must conduct itself in a way that’s worthy of the public’s trust, and that’s especially true for the IRS.  The IRS must apply the law in a fair and impartial way, and its employees must act with utmost integrity.  This report shows that some of its employees failed that test. 

I’ve directed Secretary Lew to hold those responsible for these failures accountable, and to make sure that each of the Inspector General’s recommendations are implemented quickly, so that such conduct never happens again.  But regardless of how this conduct was allowed to take place, the bottom line is, it was wrong.  Public service is a solemn privilege.  I expect everyone who serves in the federal government to hold themselves to the highest ethical and moral standards.  So do the American people.  And as President, I intend to make sure our public servants live up to those standards every day.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2013

Readout of Obama Administration Meeting with Law Enforcement on Commonsense Immigration Reform

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Director of National Drug Control Policy, R. Gil Kerlikowske, Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West and Associate Director of Latino Affairs and Immigration for the Office of Public Engagement at the White House Julie Chavez Rodriguez met with law enforcement officials from across the country today at the White House’s Eisenhower Executive Office Building to discuss their shared support for commonsense immigration reform.

The briefing was the latest opportunity to hear directly from the law enforcement officials about the importance of immigration reform from a local law enforcement perspective.

Secretary Napolitano and Director Kerlikowske made it clear that broad immigration reform is the single best step we can take to continue to enhance border security, enabling our officers and agents along the border to spend the bulk of their time focused on public safety and national security threats. They also underscored the unprecedented investments in personnel, technology and resources this Administration has made to secure our borders and make border communities safer.

Attempts to cross the border illegally totaled nearly 365,000 nationwide in FY 2012, representing a nearly 50 percent decrease since FY 2008 and a 78 percent decrease from their peak in FY 2000 according to DHS; and that from FY 2009 to 2012, CBP and ICE seized 71 percent more currency, 39 percent more drugs, and 189 percent more weapons along the Southwest border as compared to FY 2005 to 2008.

Today’s meeting was the latest engagement the Administration has had with a broad range of stakeholders who support bipartisan common sense immigration reform efforts underway. Similar meetings have been held with business leaders, labor leaders, faith leaders, and representatives of local, state, and federal law enforcement officials – like those the Administration met with today.

The following associations participated in today’s meeting:

  • The International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Major City Chiefs Association
  • Major County Sheriffs Association
  • National Sheriffs Association
  • Fraternal Order of Police
  • National Association of Police Organizations
  • Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
  • Police Executive Research Forum
  • Conference of Western Attorneys General
  • Network of former Attorneys General

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2013

Readout of President Obama’s Call with Nawaz Sharif

President Obama spoke by phone today with Nawaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, to congratulate him on his party’s success in the May 11 Parliamentary elections.  The President also thanked Mr. Sharif for his role in the historic transfer of power between civilian governments, a significant milestone in Pakistan’s democracy.

President Obama praised the extraordinary voter turnout and courage that Pakistanis displayed in the face of intimidation by violent extremists, which was an inspiration to all who support democracy around the globe.  The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations and advance our shared interest of a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2013

Readout of the President's Call with Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia

President Obama called Prime Minister Najib on the evening of May 13 to congratulate him on his victory in parliamentary elections and to reaffirm the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and Malaysia.  The President noted that Malaysians had turned out in record numbers to vote and welcomed the Prime Minister’s efforts to address concerns about election irregularities. The two leaders discussed the importance of continuing to deepen our bilateral cooperation, including on expanding cooperation on trade, regional security, and multilateral cooperation.