The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 12, 2012

Statement by the President on the Attack in Benghazi

I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.

I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.

On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya's transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.

The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2012

Readout of the President’s Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu for an hour tonight as a part of their ongoing consultations. The two leaders discussed the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, and our close cooperation on Iran and other security issues. President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed that they are united in their determination to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and agreed to continue their close consultations going forward. Contrary to reports in the press, there was never a request for Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet with President Obama in Washington, nor was a request for a meeting ever denied.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2012

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:

Robert Stephen Beecroft, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq.

T. Charles Cooper, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, vice Jeffrey J. Grieco.

Rose Eilene Gottemoeller, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, vice Ellen O. Tauscher, resigned.

F. Scott Kieff, of Illinois, to be a Member of the United States International Trade Commission for the term expiring June 16, 2020, vice Daniel Pearson, term expired.

Joshua D. Wright, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner for the term of seven years from September 26, 2012, vice J. Thomas Rosch, term expiring.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Elections in Somalia

The United States congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on winning the support of Parliament and becoming Somalia’s new president, and the Somali people for completing this momentous political transition.  Today’s vote represents an important milestone for the people of Somalia, and a crucial step forward along the path of building a representative government.

With leadership comes tremendous responsibility.  The United States calls on Somalia’s leaders to usher in a new era of governance that is responsive, representative, and accountable.  We encourage President Hassan and all members of Parliament to be inclusive and collaborative, and to build on today’s vote by continuing to strengthen democratic institutions, improving stability and security, and bringing tangible improvements to the lives of Somalia’s citizens.

The United States stands with the people of Somalia during this historic moment, and will continue to be a committed partner moving forward.  Today’s achievement would not have been possible without the contributions of the African Union, United Nations, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and regional stakeholders.   While today’s vote marks the end of the transition period, much work remains to be done.  The United States calls on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to Somalia, and to help realize a more secure and prosperous future for the Somali people.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012

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:
 

  • Robert Stephen Beecroft – Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, Department of State
  • T. Charles Cooper – Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs, United States Agency for International Development
  • Rose Gottemoeller – Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Department of State

 
President Obama said, “I am proud to nominate such impressive individuals to these important roles, and I am grateful they have agreed to lend their considerable talents to this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”
 
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
 
Ambassador Robert Stephen Beecroft, Nominee for Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, Department of State
Ambassador Robert Stephen Beecroft, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, has served at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq as Deputy Chief of Mission since July 2011 and as Chargé d’Affaires since June 2012.  Prior to his assignment in Baghdad, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 2008 to 2011.  Ambassador Beecroft served in Washington, D.C. as Executive Assistant to two Secretaries of State from 2004 to 2008 and as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State from 2003 to 2004.  He also held assignments in the Department of State's Executive Secretariat and Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, as well as at the U.S. Embassies in Saudi Arabia and Syria.  He is a recipient of the Department of State's Meritorious, Superior, and Distinguished Honor Awards and in April 2011, he received the Department of State’s Diplomacy in Human Rights Award.  He received a B.A. from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
 
T. Charles Cooper, Nominee for Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs, United States Agency for International Development
T. Charles Cooper is currently Vice President for Congressional and Public Affairs at the Millennium Challenge Corporation.  From 1997 to 2010, he held various positions at the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, including Staff Director (2000-2010), General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director (1999-2000), and Policy Advisor (1997-1999).  Prior to that, Mr. Cooper worked for then-Representative Sherrod Brown as a Legislative Assistant (1996-1997). Previously, Mr. Cooper worked at Smith, Marshall, and Weaver in Cleveland, Ohio as a partner (1991-1996) and as an associate (1986-1991). He received his B.A. from Miami University, a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University, and an M.S. in Public and Non-Profit Management, with a specialization in Public Policy from New York University.
 
Rose Gottemoeller, Nominee for Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Department of State
Rose Gottemoeller is Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security and Assistant Secretary for Verification and Compliance at the Department of State.  From 2000 to 2009, she was a senior associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where she also served as the Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center from 2006 to 2008.  From 1997 to 2000, Ms. Gottemoeller worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, serving as Director of the Office of Non-Proliferation and National Security from 1997 to 1999, as Assistant Secretary for Non-Proliferation and National Security from 1999 to 2000, and as Deputy Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Acting Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Non-Proliferation in 2000. Previously, Ms. Gottemoeller served as Deputy Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London from 1994 to 1997 and as the National Security Council Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia Affairs at the White House from 1993 to 1994.  Ms. Gottemoeller received a B.S. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from George Washington University.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

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

  • F. Scott Kieff – Member, United States International Trade Commission
  • Joshua D. Wright – Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission

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

F. Scott Kieff, Nominee for Member, United States International Trade Commission
F. Scott Kieff is a professor at The George Washington University Law School and a Ray and Louis Knowles Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, where he directs the Project on Commercializing Innovation and serves on the Property Rights Task Force.  From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Kieff was a member of the Patent Public Advisory Committee of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  From 2005 to 2007, he was a mediator in the appellate mediation program of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  In addition, Mr. Kieff practiced law from 1998 to 2000 at Jenner & Block in Chicago and from 1994 to 1996 at Pennie & Edmonds in New York.  From 1996 to 1998, he served as a law clerk to Judge Giles S. Rich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  Mr. Kieff received a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Joshua D. Wright, Nominee for Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission
Dr. Joshua D. Wright is a professor at George Mason University (GMU) School of Law and holds a courtesy appointment in GMU’s Department of Economics.  Dr. Wright previously served as the inaugural Scholar in Residence at the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, from January 2007 to July 2008.  Before joining GMU, Dr. Wright taught at the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy and clerked for Judge James V. Selna of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  He received a B.A. in Economics at the University of California, San Diego and a J.D. and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was Managing Editor of the UCLA Law Review.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012

Readout of the President’s Meeting with Senior Administration Officials on Our Preparedness and Security Posture on the Eleventh Anniversary of September 11th

Earlier today the President heard from key national security principals on our preparedness and security posture on the eve of the eleventh anniversary of September 11th. Over the past month, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan has convened numerous meetings to review security measures in place. During the briefing today, the President and the Principals discussed specific measures we are taking in the Homeland to prevent 9/11 related attacks as well as the steps taken to protect U.S. persons and facilities abroad, as well as force protection. The President reiterated that Departments and agencies must do everything possible to protect the American people, both at home and abroad.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Tommy Vietor on Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman and Attorney General Eric Holder’s Trip to the Arab Forum on Asset Recovery in Doha, Qatar

Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman and Attorney General Eric Holder will lead a high level delegation consisting of officials from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the National Security Staff to Doha, Qatar from September 11-13, for the inaugural Arab Forum on Asset Recovery.  The United States is co-organizing the Forum with the government of the State of Qatar.

President Obama is committed to fighting corruption worldwide and supporting the democratic transitions that are taking place in the Middle East and North Africa. Corruption has been a core public grievance in the region, and the United States has worked closely with the new governments and citizens of Arab countries in transition as they fight corruption and seek justice by recovering stolen assets.  As the president of the G8 in 2012, the United States is supporting these aspirations by leading a coalition to focus on asset recovery as part of the Deauville Partnership. 

The Arab Forum on Asset Recovery will bring together the G8, the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition, regional countries and international organizations to advance this work.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012

Statement by the President on the End of Kosovo’s Supervised Independence

I welcome and strongly support today’s announcement by the International Steering Group that international supervision of Kosovo’s independence has come to an end.  After nearly four and a half years, fulfillment of the provisions of the Comprehensive Settlement Proposal is a major achievement for all citizens of Kosovo. With the optimism, energy and determination characteristic of its people, Kosovo has made significant progress in solidifying the gains of independence and in building the institutions of a modern, multi-ethnic, inclusive and democratic state.  There is more work to be done, as Kosovo’s leaders now assume full responsibility for ensuring that the principles enshrined in its declaration of independence and constitution are realized for every citizen.  Kosovo must also continue to engage constructively with its neighbors and work to resolve outstanding issues, in particular those with Serbia.  Doing so will reinforce Kosovo’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will serve to promote the stability upon which the region's Euro-Atlantic prospects depend. On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the government, parliament and people of Kosovo on this historic milestone, in which Kosovo takes another important step toward its rightful place in a free, whole and peaceful Europe.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
September 08, 2012

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Coming Together to Remember September 11th

WASHINGTON, DC—In this week’s address, President Obama marked the eleventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks by remembering the innocent lives lost, and honoring the first responders and men and women in uniform who have served and sacrificed to keep our country safe.  In the difficult years following the attacks, the United States has come back stronger as a nation, decimated the leadership of al-Qaeda, ensured that Osama bin Laden will never attack America again, and strengthened our alliances across the world.  Looking forward, we will continue to demonstrate that the legacy of 9/11 is that no adversary or act of terrorism can change who we are as Americans, and that we will always come together to preserve and protect the country we love.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
September 8, 2012

This week, we mark the eleventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  It’s a time to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children we lost, and the families they left behind.  It’s a chance to honor the courage of the first responders who risked their lives – on that day, and every day since.  And it’s an opportunity to give thanks for our men and women in uniform who have served and sacrificed, sometimes far from home, to keep our country safe.
 
This anniversary is about them.  It’s also a time to reflect on just how far we’ve come as a nation these past eleven years. 
 
On that clear September morning, as America watched the towers fall, and the Pentagon burn, and the wreckage smoldering in a Pennsylvania field, we were filled with questions.  Where had the attacks come from, and how would America respond?  Would they fundamentally weaken the country we love?  Would they change who we are? 
 
The last decade has been a difficult one, but together, we have answered those questions and come back stronger as a nation. 
 
We took the fight to al Qaeda, decimated their leadership, and put them on a path to defeat.  And thanks to the courage and skill of our intelligence personnel and armed forces, Osama bin Laden will never threaten America again.
 
Instead of pulling back from the world, we’ve strengthened our alliances while improving our security here at home.  As Americans, we refuse to live in fear.  Today, a new tower rises above the New York skyline.  And our country is stronger, safer and more respected in the world.
 
Instead of turning on each other, we’ve resisted the temptation to give in to mistrust and suspicion.  I have always said that America is at war with al Qaeda and its affiliates – and we will never be at war with Islam or any other religion.  We are the United States of America.  Our freedom and diversity make us unique, and they will always be central to who we are as a nation.
 
Instead of changing who we are, the attacks have brought out the best in the American people.  More than 5 million members of the 9/11 Generation have worn America’s uniform over the past decade, and we’ve seen an outpouring of goodwill towards our military, veterans, and their families.  Together, they’ve done everything we’ve asked of them.  We’ve ended the war in Iraq and brought our troops home.  We brought an end to the Taliban regime.  We’ve trained Afghan Security Forces, and forged a partnership with a new Afghan Government.  And by the end 2014, the transition in Afghanistan will be complete and our war there will be over.
 
And finally, instead of turning inward with grief, we’ve honored the memory of those we lost by giving back to our communities, serving those in need, and reaffirming the values at the heart of who we are as a people.  That’s why we mark September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  Because we are one American family.  And we look out for each other – not just on the difficult days, but every day.
 
Eleven years later, that’s the legacy of 9/11 – the ability to say with confidence that no adversary and no act of terrorism can change who we are.  We are Americans, and we will protect and preserve this country we love.  On this solemn anniversary, let’s remember those we lost, let us reaffirm the values they stood for, and let us keep moving forward as one nation and one people.