The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
December 20, 2011

Readout of Vice President Biden's Calls to Iraqi Leaders

The Vice President today spoke on the phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and separately with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi to discuss the current political climate in Baghdad. The Vice President told both leaders that the United States is monitoring events in Iraq closely.  He emphasized the United States’ commitment to a long-term strategic partnership with Iraq, our support for an inclusive partnership government and the importance of acting in a manner consistent with the rule of law and Iraq’s constitution. The Vice President also stressed the urgent need for the Prime Minister and the leaders of the other major blocs to meet and work through their differences together.
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 20, 2011

Readout of the President's Call with Spanish President-elect Rajoy

President Obama spoke with Spanish President-elect Mariano Rajoy today to congratulate him on his election and to underscore U.S. support for his economic reform agenda. The two leaders agreed on the vitality of the alliance between our two countries, which cooperate closely on a full range of issues on our shared global agenda. The President looks forward to welcoming President-elect Rajoy to the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago in May 2012.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 20, 2011

Statement from the Press Secretary on H.R. 470 and H.R. 2061

On Tuesday, December 20, 2011, the President signed into law:

H.R. 470, the “Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2011,” which extends and amends the statutory allocation of hydroelectric power generated by the Hoover Dam, Nevada; and

H.R. 2061, the “Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011,” which authorizes the presentation of a United States flag on behalf of a Federal employee who dies of injuries incurred in connection with his or her employment.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 20, 2011

Statement by the President on Hanukkah

Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world. 

This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people, only to discover that the oil left in their desecrated temple – which should have been enough for only one night – ended up lasting for eight.

It’s a timeless story of right over might and faith over doubt – one that has given hope to Jewish people everywhere for over 2,000 years.  And tonight, as families and friends come together to light the menorah, it is a story that reminds us to count our blessings, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors, and to believe that through faith and determination, we can work together to build a brighter, better world for generations to come.

From our family to the Jewish Community around the world, Chag Sameach. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2011

Readout of the President's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Noda

President Obama spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Noda of Japan this evening.  The two leaders conferred on the situation on the Korean Peninsula following the death of Kim Jong Il.  The President underscored the United States’ commitment to the defense of our close allies, including Japan.  He also conveyed the importance he places on maintaining the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region.  Both leaders agreed that the United States and Japan would monitor events carefully and stay in close touch.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2011

Statement by the Press Secretary on S. 535, S.683, and S.J. Res. 22

On Monday, December 19, 2011, the President signed into law:

S. 535, the “Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act,” which authorizes the Department of the Interior to lease certain lands and improvements within the Fort Pulaski National Monument to the Savannah Bar Pilots Association;

S. 683, the “Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act,” which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey, without consideration, approximately 31.5 acres of public lands to the town of Mantua, Utah; and

S.J.Res. 22, which gives the consent of Congress to the amendment enacted by Missouri and Illinois to the Compact that created the Bi-State Development Agency allowing the Agency to issue bonds that mature up to 40 years (rather than up to 30 years) from the date of issuance.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2011

Readout of the President's Call with Tunisian Interim Prime Minister Jebali

President Obama called Tunisia’s interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali today to congratulate him on his appointment and to underscore America’s strong support for Tunisia’s democratic transition.  The President and the Prime Minister discussed the importance of continued progress on meeting the democratic aspirations of all Tunisians.  The President praised Tunisia for its inclusive transition, which presents an historic chance for greater political and economic opportunity for all Tunisians.  The President reaffirmed America’s deep friendship with and support for the Tunisian people as they continue to press ahead with this new chapter in their country’s history.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2011

United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

The United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security can be viewed HERE.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2011

Statement by the President on the Philippines

On behalf of the American people, I wish to express my deep condolences for the tremendous loss of life and devastation caused by recent flooding in the Philippines.  In the spirit of our long history of friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, the United States stands ready to assist the Philippine people and government should humanitarian assistance and recovery efforts be needed.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
December 19, 2011

FACT SHEET: The United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

“The goal is as simple as it is profound: to empower half the world’s population as equal partners in preventing conflict and building peace in countries threatened and affected by war, violence and insecurity. Achieving this goal is critical to our national and global security.”

--The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security

Since taking office, President Obama and this Administration have been guided by the knowledge that countries are more peaceful and prosperous when women are accorded full and equal rights and opportunity.

Building on this recognition and the ongoing work of America’s diplomats, development experts, and military, today President Obama released the first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, and signed an Executive Order directing the Plan be implemented. Together, the Executive Order and National Action Plan chart a roadmap for how the United States will accelerate and institutionalize efforts across the government to advance women’s participation in preventing conflict and keeping peace. The documents represent a fundamental change in how the U.S. will approach its diplomatic, military, and development-based support to women in areas of conflict, by ensuring that their perspectives and considerations of gender are woven into the fabric of how the United States approaches peace processes, conflict prevention, the protection of civilians, and humanitarian assistance.

The National Action Plan contains commitments by the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, Treasury, and Homeland Security, and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative targeted at meeting the following national objectives:

  • National Integration and Institutionalization: Through interagency coordination, policy development, enhanced professional training and education, and evaluation, the United States Government will institutionalize a gender-responsive approach to its diplomatic, development, and defense-related work in conflict-affected environments.
  • Participation in Peace Processes and Decision-making: The United States Government will improve the prospects for inclusive, just, and sustainable peace by promoting and strengthening women’s rights and effective leadership and substantive participation in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, transitional processes, and decision-making institutions in conflict-affected environments.
  • Protection from Violence: The United States Government will strengthen its efforts to prevent – and protect women and children from – harm, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse, including sexual and gender-based violence and trafficking in persons, and to hold perpetrators accountable in conflict-affected environments.
  • Conflict Prevention: The United States Government will promote women’s roles in conflict prevention, improve conflict early-warning and response systems through the integration of gender perspectives, and invest in women and girls’ health, education, and economic opportunity to create conditions for stable societies and lasting peace.
  • Access to Relief and Recovery: The United States Government will respond to the distinct needs of women and children in conflict-affected disasters and crises, including by providing safe, equitable access to humanitarian assistance.

In line with these objectives, agencies will:

  • Establish and improve policy and training on Women, Peace, and Security;
  • Advocate for the integration of women and gender perspectives in negotiations concerning conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and political transitions, including through U.S. delegations serving as a model;
  • Build women’s capacity for roles in local and national government, the security sector, and civil society in conflict-affected environments, while supporting NGOs that advocate on behalf of women’s participation in decision-making;
  • Work with partner nations to develop laws and policies that promote and strengthen women’s rights and women’s participation in security-related decision-making bodies;
  • Improve the capacity of the UN system, peacekeepers, partner militaries and law enforcement, and implementing contractors and aid workers to better prevent and respond to conflict-related violence against women, including sexual and gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and trafficking in persons;
  • Ensure conflict early-warning systems include gender-specific data and are responsive to sexual and gender-based violence, while investing in women and girls as a means to reduce the long-term drivers of conflict; and
  • Promote women’s equal access to aid distribution mechanisms and services, support access to reproductive health in emergencies, and ensure that U.S. government crisis response and recovery teams have access to gender expertise.

To ensure comprehensive follow-through, agencies will be held accountable for their commitments under the National Action Plan. As directed by the Executive Order, the Departments of State and Defense, and USAID will designate officers to ensure implementation, and will submit to the National Security Advisor agency-specific plans establishing time-bound, measurable, resourced actions. These plans will be coordinated by a standing interagency committee chaired by the White House National Security Staff. This committee will:

  • Monitor and evaluate actions taken in support of national objectives through the creation of specific indicators;
  • Integrate the concepts behind Women, Peace, and Security into relevant national-level policies and strategies;
  • Establish a mechanism for regular consultation with civil society representatives;
  • Report annually to the National Security Council Deputies Committee on progress made toward achieving commitments, in order to inform a report to the President; and
  • In 2015, conduct a comprehensive review of, and update to, the National Action Plan, which will be informed by consultation with international partners and relevant civil society organizations.

The U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security embodies and sets forth the United States’ commitment to ensuring that women around the world play an equal role in promoting peace and achieving just and enduring security. Today and in the years to come, the Obama Administration dedicates itself to bringing the ideas behind the National Action Plan to life in pursuit of this essential goal.