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Saudi Arabia says peace comes with Israel's withdrawal from all lands it occupied in 1967 War
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)--Following is the transcript of a joint news conference Friday by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal:
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good afternoon, and thank you very much for being here. It is a pleasure for me to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Saud here back to the State Department, a building he has spent more time in than I have. (Laughter.) So it’s a delight and an honor.
I think it is so self-evident but bears repeating that Saudi Arabia has been a close friend and ally of the United States for many years. Our partnership is grounded in mutual respect and mutual interest. Our two nations seek to maintain an open and active dialogue on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global challenges, including achieving a comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution, ending Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, confronting violent extremism, and encouraging economic recovery and growth.
Today, Prince Saud and I discussed ways we can broaden and deepen our partnership, including the continuation of the U.S.-Saudi Strategic Dialogue, something that was discussed between His Majesty the King and President Obama.
I thanked the Prince for the leadership that King Abdullah and his government has shown by championing the Arab Peace Initiative. The wide support for the King’s plan is very encouraging. But of course, we need to do more to realize the rights of Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace and security in two states, side by side.
And the United States is working very closely and intensely with the Israelis on the issues of settlements and easing living conditions for the Palestinians, and with the Palestinian Authority on improving security and ending incitement on the West Bank and in Gaza.
We have also asked the Arab states, including our friends in Saudi Arabia, to work with us to take steps to improve relations with Israel, to support the Palestinian Authority, and to prepare their people to embrace the eventual peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Saudi Arabia’s continued leadership is absolutely vital to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace.
Prince Saud and I also discussed our other efforts to address regional security challenges. I want to underscore publicly what the Prince knows and His Majesty the King knows: The U.S. commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security is unwavering. We share concerns about the destabilizing role that Iran has played throughout the region and the continued expansion of its nuclear program and its support for terrorism. At the same time, we are working together to deny terrorists safe haven and access to funding, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
I also appreciate His Majesty the King’s and the Prince’s efforts for Saudi Arabia’s leadership within the G-20 and our mutual response to the global economic crisis.
I am also personally very pleased by the steps that His Majesty the King is taking to implement reforms, including appointing the Kingdom’s first female official as deputy minister of education. The work that the King is doing on educational reform and judicial system reform and championing interfaith dialogue is very important. And I was excited to hear about the upcoming opening of the King Abdullah University in Saudi Arabia for graduate study that will be focusing on the modern sciences.
So, Your Royal Highness, thank you. Thank you for your years of friendship, and thank you for making this visit and our commitment to continuing our dialogue. I look forward to working with you in the future on behalf of our nations and our common goals for the world.
FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: Madame Secretary, thank you for your kind invitation and for the wonderful lunch that we just had. Frankly, I thought at one point that our meeting would be at a health facility, instead of the State Department. (Laughter.) I am glad to say that we have both recovered enough to face the media, and both know how dangerous that is.
To our friends in the media, I would like to say that our meeting was productive and fruitful. Our two nations have been friends and allies for over seven decades. We have seen the coming and breaking of many storms. Over time, our relationship has grown stronger, broader, and deeper. And our discussion today reflected the maturity of this relationship. It was frank, honest, and open, as discussion between friends must be.
Today, our two nations are working closely to promote peace between Palestinians and Israelis, to encourage reconciliation in Lebanon, to stabilize Pakistan and Afghanistan, to combat terrorism, and to emphasize the need for Iran to adhere to its obligation under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. And we consult on many more political issues as well, as global economic matters, energy and the environment. We have a large commercial relationship that benefits both our people. As you can see, we have a long list of common challenges and opportunities ahead of us. And I can say that our common interests make it incumbent upon us to closely coordinate our efforts.
Given the large number of issues we deal with, our two nations established a Strategic Dialogue in 2005. The Strategic Dialogue was designed to institutionalize the relationship between our two relevant countries and it served its purpose well. Today, the Secretary and I discussed ways to enhance its productivity and to make it more relevant to the challenges our two nations face.
I would be remiss if I didn’t express our thanks and appreciation to President Obama and to Secretary Clinton for their early and robust focus on trying to bring peace to the Middle East. I expressed to the Secretary our view that a bold and historic step is required to end this conflict and divert the resources of the region from war and destruction to peace and development.
It is time for all people in the Middle East to be able to lead normal lives. Incrementalism and a step-by-step approach has not and-- we believe-- will not achieve peace. Temporary security, confidence-building measures will also not bring peace. What is required is a comprehensive approach that defines the final outcome at the outset and launches into negotiations over final status issues: borders, Jerusalem, water, refugees and security.
The whole world knows what a settlement should look like: withdrawal from all the occupied territories, including Jerusalem; a just settlement for the refugees; and an equitable settlement of issues such as water and security. The Arab world is in accord with such a settlement through the Arab Peace Initiative adopted at the 2002 Arab Summit in Beirut which not only accepted Israel, but also offered full and complete peace and normal relations in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied in ’67. This initiative was adopted unanimously by the Islamic countries at Makkah Summit in 2005.
Today, Israel is trying to distract by shifting attention from the core issue- an end to the occupation that began in ’67 and the establishment of a Palestinian state to-- incidental issues such as academic conferences and civil aviation matters. This is not the way to peace. Israel must decide if it wants real peace, which is at hand, or if it wants to continue obfuscating and, as a result, lead the region into a maelstrom of instability and violence.
The question is not what the Arab world will offer. That has been established. But an end to the conflict, recognition, and full normal relations as exist between countries at peace. The question really is: What will Israel give in exchange for this comprehensive offer? And remember, what Israel is asked to give in exchange for peace, namely the return of the occupied territories, never belonged to it in the first place. Israel hasn’t even responded to an American request to halt settlements which President Obama described as illegitimate.
Allow me to conclude by saying that I was pleased to discuss the issues with the Secretary, and I appreciated hearing her views on it. I thank you, Madame Secretary.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much.
MR. CROWLEY: We’ll go to question with David Gollust of VOA.
QUESTION: Madame Secretary, I just – the foreign minister’s very strong opposition, obviously, to confidence-building measures before a comprehensive settlement, I wonder if that for you means that it makes it very difficult for success in this process because, of course, Senator Mitchell has made the search for confidence-building measures on each side as an interim step to a comprehensive settlement as something he’s seeking. Does this complicate your – the Administration’s efforts at peacemaking?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, I don’t think so at all. I think that the efforts we are undertaking are to create a negotiation that will lead to a comprehensive settlement in the interests of both the Palestinian and the Israeli people. There are many aspects to this. Some of them were mentioned – security, water, borders, refugees, Jerusalem. All of these have to be discussed and agreed to by the parties.
Our intention is to try to get agreement from the parties to be part of such a negotiation and to begin it, and to begin it with the intention of finishing it and resolving all of the issues in a comprehensive way. What the Arab Peace Initiative did, very importantly, was to obtain unanimous support, as His Royal Highness said, to the proposition there should be a two-state solution; that as a part of that two-state solution, there should be a recognition of Israel and relations with Israel.
We know that this is all in the process that has to be undertaken, and we are looking forward to seeing the parties sitting down at the negotiating table, supported not only by the United States, but by other nations led by Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Muslim nations that signed on to the Arab Peace Initiative.
QUESTION: You don’t see that as a setback?
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, not at all.
MR. CROWLEY: Next question from Al Arabiya.
QUESTION: Thank you. Judging by what – judging by what we just heard, it seems that the differences between the United States and Saudi Arabia are fundamental on this issue, and it seems to me that the talks between President Obama and King Abdullah and the talks now are not narrowing the divide between the two – two divergent approaches. I mean, you talk about incremental measures, confidence-building measures, and the prince is talking about comprehensive approach in one fell swoop.
I mean, how – this has been – you have been at it for six months. I mean, this is for both of you: How are you going to reconcile these clearly divergent views?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I don’t see it that way, and that’s what I just said. There is no substitute for a comprehensive resolution. That is our ultimate objective. In order to get to the negotiating table, we have to persuade both sides that they can trust the other side enough to reach that comprehensive agreement.
We also know that there are a series of issues that have to be resolved. As His Royal Highness said and as I have just repeated, you have to take those issues by issues, but within the negotiation for the comprehensive peace agreement. That’s not a contradiction. Senator Mitchell has a lot of experience in negotiations, and he knows that oftentimes the hardest part is getting people to sit down across from the table. When you listen to him and he talks, for example, about his negotiations in Northern Ireland, he finally got them to sit at a table, but it took about a year for them to talk to each other.
So what we’re trying to do here is to say, look, everyone knows there are certain issues that have to be agreed upon. We’re not starting with a blank slate. There are border issues that must be agreed upon for the Palestinian people to have a viable state. There are security issues that must be agreed upon for the Israeli people to feel that they can live side-by-side. That’s all part of the comprehensive agreement, but of course there are specific issues that will go into making up that comprehensive agreement.
QUESTION: Your Highness, if the Obama Administration gets a full settlement freeze, would your country or the Arabs do anything in return?
FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: Freeze?
QUESTION: Yeah.
FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: Well, of course, a settlement freeze Israel has refused. And this is why we believe that making conditions right for a settlement is not by making gestures. It is by delving into the real issues. As the Secretary has said, that is what will make peace. And remember, giving up settlement is not something that Israel is giving. It is giving right, but it is not theirs. I mean, it is obvious that the withdrawal from these settlements is not something to be (inaudible) for Israel, but an important first step to real negotiations on the real issues which separate the two people, and to make peace with them.
QUESTION: Samir Nader with Radio Sawa. Your Highness, did you hear anything encouraging from the Secretary or Senator Mitchell that will enable the Kingdom to take some steps to help the U.S. in its efforts?
And to the Secretary, Madame Secretary, are you considering lifting Sudan – removing Sudan from the list of state that supports terrorism?
FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: Of course (inaudible) is encouraging. I haven’t heard any discouraging remark that I could mention. And we are especially impressed by the President and the Secretary taking this issue right now at a time so early in the Administration. This is a positive step that we think is going to lead, hopefully, to a breakthrough in the negotiations. And the role of the United States, it is safe to say, is necessary in order to achieve any breakthrough in the negotiations. And since there is this serious intent and serious application to it, we think there is a chance for success.
SECRETARY CLINTON: With respect to your question, Samir, we have made no decision to lift the listing on the terrorist list of Sudan. As you know, there is a very intensive review going on within the Administration concerning our policy towards Sudan, but no decisions have been made.
MR. CROWLEY: Last question, Al Hayat.
QUESTION: Yes, hi. Joyce Karam with Al Hayat newspaper. Madame Secretary, my question to you is: Is the U.S. position still for a complete settlement freeze, or are you willing to take some exceptions here and there in East Jerusalem or some of the reconstruction that’s still going on?
And Your Highness, I want to ask you: What’s the Saudi position in case comprehensive negotiations resume? Do you want these negotiations to focus on the Palestinian-Israeli track, or do you prefer a multilateral approach that would involve also the Syrian and the Lebanese tracks?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, with respect to your question, thank you. We are very deep into the discussions led by Senator Mitchell, and I don’t want to preempt or preview what he is doing. But we are working very hard to position the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to be able to sit down.
And we know there has to be some preliminary work done, including a number of issues, not just the one that you mentioned. But we feel like we’re making headway, and we are determined to do so in a matter of as short a period of time as possible. I can’t put a deadline on that; I don’t believe in that. But I think that Senator Mitchell returned from his latest trip with a clear idea of how best to get the negotiations started.
FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: And for the last part of your question, of course, you know the Arab peace plan talks about full peace in the Middle East, total peace on all aspects of – whether between Syria and Israel, Lebanon and Israel, or Syria (inaudible), and above and beyond that, peace with all the Arab country. And now, after it was accepted by the Islamic countries, with all the Islamic countries. That is what is offered (inaudible).
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
MR. CROWLEY: Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.
President Obama to
host emir of Kuwait
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)--Following are the Middle East excerpts of a press briefing conducted Friday by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs:
Q With the Emir of Kuwait {Sheikh Sabah} coming Monday, what have been the results of President Obama's outreach to Arab states to make some relatively modest diplomatic overtures to Israel?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I don't want to get into any of the feedback that's come back as part of private diplomatic letters. The President has met with a number of, as you mentioned, Arab leaders in order for all involved in this process to understand the responsibilities that they have in order to return as quickly as possible to the table to seek a long-term peace in the Middle East. Let me see if there's anything additional from NSC that we can on it.
Q Does he see progress?
MR. GIBBS: I think both -- well, Secretary Gates, General Jones, and Senator Mitchell were all in the region. All of them, particularly Senator Mitchell -- as I said earlier this week, Senator Mitchell and Prime Minister Netanyahu say we're making progress. And I think if you look at -- stepping back a little bit -- the outreach to these countries and the world I think their view of the United States and our willingness to engage has been shown in more and more people in those countries approving of the foreign policy actions of the United States.
Q I'm sorry, can I just follow up very, very quickly? The Israeli government, however, has not frozen settlement construction, which the President called illegitimate in Cairo. Netanyahu endorsed a Palestinian state, but with so many caveats a Palestinian state is impossible. Does the President think that has to change before any progress is going to be made with the Arabs?
MR. GIBBS: Well, the President believes that, like I said, each side has responsibilities that have to be lived up to. I know the President looks forward to hearing from Senator Mitchell as he returns from the region on the next steps forward. This is something the President will spend an enormous amount of his personal time on in hopes of seeing a breakthrough in peace.
**
Q Does the President expect Israel to wait until they are nuclear bombed by Iran before they go after Iranian nuclear weaponry?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the President has said that countries make security decisions for themselves. All involved, led by the United States and others, are trying to do whatever is possible to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That's our focus.
Preceding transcript provided by the White House
State Department calls on
Hamas to release Gilad Shalit
WASHINGTON, D.C (Press Release)--Following are the Middle East excerpts of a press briefing Friday conducted by Assistat Secretary of State Philip Crowley.
MR. CROWLEY: Obviously, it is a busy day today for Secretary Clinton. As you saw, she met this morning with her counterpart from Switzerland, Federal Councilor Micheline Calmy-Rey. As you noted, they reflected on the tentative agreement that was reached in court this morning. But in their bilateral meeting, they talked about a number of issues – Iran, obviously. Switzerland is the protecting power for the United States in that country. They talked about the current dialogue between Turkey and Armenia, and they talked about the peace process. But the Secretary reflected on the great respect that we have for Switzerland and --
QUESTION: Which peace process?
MR. CROWLEY: The Mideast peace process. The Secretary reflected on the great respect that Americans have for Switzerland and the important role that it plays in a variety of mediation efforts around the world.
As we speak, the Secretary is meeting with Prince Saud al-Faisal, her counterpart from Saudi Arabia, and you’ll have the opportunity in about 45 minutes to ask questions of each of them. But I expect that during the meeting, obviously, the Middle East peace process will come up, I’m sure that Iran will come, and other issues in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
And this evening, the Secretary will meet with President Arroyo of the Philippines, following up on a meeting that she had with President Obama yesterday. Clearly, the Philippines is one of the closest allies and partners that we have in the Asia Pacific region. But I’m sure that among the issues that will come up is various regional issues, counterterrorism, joint counterterrorism efforts. I wouldn't be surprised if Burma comes up in that meeting.
But what that, I’ll answer your questions.
**
QUESTION: The Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal, in Damascus had some seemingly conciliatory things to say about the United States and the peace process. And I’m wondering if that pleases the Administration.
MR. CROWLEY: I think we – the specific terms fall far short of the principles that have been outlined extensively and repeatedly by the Quartet. We will be focused on actions, not words. And the Quartet principles guide our approach to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and anyone who wants to participate in that process. So if Mr. Meshal is prepared to renounce terror and violence, if he’s prepared to recognize Israel, if he’s prepared to accept previous agreements, including the Roadmap, then that would be a positive step.
In the intervening time, if he wants to actually take actions that can improve the situation in the Middle East, he can start by declaring a ceasefire and by releasing Gilad Shalit.
QUESTION: On another related issue, what would you say to the argument that the United States insistence on an absolute settlement freeze on the part of the Israelis has given Arab countries an excuse not to come up with the confidence-building measures that Mitchell has been seeking?
MR. CROWLEY: Well, I mean, it is fair to say that the issue of settlements has occupied the reporting on George Mitchell’s activity and our efforts to prepare the ground for resumption of negotiations. But in fact, George Mitchell, through his trip last week, which we detailed, has been impressing upon all of the parties in the Middle East what they have to do.
So is settlements a significant issue? Absolutely. Are there things that Palestinians have to do to create – to take on their responsibility to promote the peace process and return to negotiation? Absolutely.
The Secretary is currently meeting with her Saudi counterpart, and I’m sure that a message that she is passing on is the responsibility of other countries in the region to support a peace process. So there’s this perception that we’re leaning in one direction and not others. We’re leaning in all directions.
Yes.
QUESTION: Back on Tuesday --
QUESTION: Is that physically possible? (Laughter.) Some people say the Administration (inaudible).
MR. CROWLEY: We are applying equal pressure in all directions. Thank you, Matt.
**
QUESTION: Going back to her peace process, what kind of progress has Senator Mitchell achieved during his last trip to the Middle East? And what about the renewing of sanctions on Syria?
MR. CROWLEY: Well, obviously, the – Senator Mitchell visited Damascus on his last trip. His discussions with Damascus I think he characterized as constructive. I don’t have the precise language in front of me, but it touched on the peace process. It touched on bilateral issues. And there have been some reports – I think they might be a little bit too forward-leaning – in existing statute. There are sanctions in place with respect to commercial activity in Syria, but there are also opportunities for exceptions to those sanctions. And I can’t say the degree to which or if that was a part of the discussion.
QUESTION: There’s another event. Can we --
QUESTION: Yeah, I got one more question and then --
State Department reiterates its hope that Arabs will take confidence-building measures
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)--Following are Middle Eastern excerpts from the press briefing conducted Thursday, July 30, by U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly:
QUESTION: Any reaction to the latest in Iran? Apparently, in the cemetery, they were going to mourn some of the protestors and this was sealed off.
MR. KELLY: Yeah.
QUESTION: Does the U.S. have concerns about that?
MR. KELLY: Yeah. Well, I think it’s – I’ve seen the same reports you have. I think it’s particularly disturbing to see security forces use force to break up a graveside demonstration, to break up a group of people who are trying to exercise an important ritual under Islam, the mourning after 40 days. And just in general, I’ll just repeat what we always say, and that’s that we stand by the Iranian people who are seeking to exercise their universal right to self-expression, to demonstrate peacefully.
Yeah, Dave.
QUESTION: Have you had any further conversations with the Iraqis about the closure of this Camp Ashraf, gotten assurances that they won’t be forcibly sent back to Iran, et cetera?
MR. KELLY: Yeah, I do have something for you on that.
Embassy officials met yesterday with representatives of the Government of Iraq. We wanted to stress the importance to the Government of Iraq, the importance of Iraq fulfilling its commitment to the U.S. Government to treat the camp residents humanely. And we also proposed permitting an assessment of injuries and possible deaths, an assessment by U.S. forces.
The Government of Iraq did agree to allow U.S. forces to provide medical assistance to those who were injured in Camp Ashraf. And there is, right now, a U.S. medical team there performing this assistance. We’re providing medical care and treatment, medical supplies, and assessing any kind of follow-on treatment or support that these residents might require.
And regarding other issues regarding Camp Ashraf, we’d refer you, of course, to the Government of Iraq.
QUESTION: Have they told – have they said that they’re going to just flatly close this place? And where are they going to – what are they going to do with the inhabitants?
MR. KELLY: Yeah. I think you have to ask Baghdad about that. I’m not – I think that is the understanding, that they want to kind of regularize the situation there. What they are trying to do is set up a police station inside it.
Yes, in the back.
QUESTION: Saudi Arabia and other – seven Arab countries stated yesterday that they are not ready to take any steps for building confidence with Israel before the Israelis freeze completely the settlement activities. And what is the U.S. reaction to this? Because you have been urging Arab states to take such actions.
MR. KELLY: Yeah. Well, as you say, we have been urging Arab states to take steps towards normalization – that – we’ve said repeatedly that it’s essential that all countries in the region take parallel steps that create a context where – or create an atmosphere whereby negotiations can begin.
Yeah.
QUESTION: And might this come up any time soon with the Saudis?
MR. KELLY: Might what come up any time soon?
QUESTION: The idea of taking steps to build confidence with Israel?
MR. KELLY: Well, I hope so.
QUESTION: Any one-on-one meetings that might be happening maybe tomorrow?
MR. KELLY: Meaning they have some information tomorrow for you.
Yes.
QUESTION: Hi. Thanks, Ian. As a part of the comprehensive package that Turkey – Turkish Government is launching to finish off the PKK, there seems to be a three-party meeting in Ankara – U.S., Iraqi, and Turkish officials. Can you give us any details? Do you have anything on that? I mean --
MR. KELLY: No, I don’t. This is the first I’m hearing of it, but we can certainly get you the information.
QUESTION: Thank you.
MR. KELLY: We’ll take that question.
QUESTION: Thanks.
MR. KELLY: Thanks.
224 House members urge
direct Saudi-Israeli talks
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Democratic Congressmen Brad Sherman and Republican Congressman Ed Royce, both Californians, are joined by 222 of their colleagues in urging the Saudi Arabian government to seize on this historical moment to foster peace in the Middle East.. Their letter calls on the Saudi government to engage directly with the Israelis to discuss a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The letter to King Abdullah builds on comments made by President Obama earlier this year in his address to the Muslim World, when he called on Arab states to live up to their responsibility and recognize Israeli legitimacy. "…Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibility,"
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Obama had said. “The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other
problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel's legitimacy and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past."
The Saudi Arabian government authored the Arab Peace Initiative, first proposed at an Arab League summit in 2002,
which calls for Arab states to normalize relations with Israel in return for Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 "Green Line" and a settlement of the Palestinian refugee issue. This proposal is potentially an important step by the Arab states toward peace with Israel, as it holds out the possibility of Arab recognition of Israel. However, the Saudis have treated the proposal as a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Sherman, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, argues, “it is not enough for the Saudis to put forward a peace proposal and treat it as a take-it-or-leave-it document that the Israelis must fulfill in total before the Arab states take any concrete steps toward peace with Israel.”
"How can there be peace without recognition of Israel? Direct engagement between the parties is essential if there is to be a chance at peace," remarked Royce, also a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
In part, the letter reads, “We have been disappointed thus far to see the public reaction of your government to President Obama’s request. Rather than expressing willingness to break down barriers between Arabs and Israelis, your foreign minister asserted that Saudi Arabia could not take any step toward normalization before the return of all Arab land.”
Obama extends Syrian sanctions despite 'positive developments'
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WJC)—US President Barack Obama has extended sanctions against Syrian or pro-Syrian personalities for provoking instability in neighboring Lebanon, despite positive signs from Damascus recently, the White House said. "In the past six months, the United States has used dialogue with the Syrian government to address concerns and identify areas of mutual interest, including support for Lebanese sovereignty," Obama said in a statement. He said there have been "some positive developments in the past year, including the establishment of diplomatic relations and an exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria."
However, the US president stated that "the actions of certain persons continue to contribute to political and economic instability in Lebanon and the region and constitute a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." As a result, Obama said, he had decided to extend for one year sanctions decreed in August 2007 by his predecessor George W. Bush, which froze the assets of individuals accused of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty on Syria's behalf.
Since coming to office, Obama has moved cautiously to improve relations with Syria, mindful that it plays or could play an influential role in the region, whether in Lebanon, Iraq or in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Obama administration recently eased trade sanctions against Syria in one recent gesture toward Damascus.
Harvey Milk, Billie Jean King, 14 others win Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON, D.C. (SDJW Roundup)--The slain gay Jewish San Francisco County Supervisor Harvey Milk has been named posthumously as one of 16 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the White House, setting off happy reaction in the gay community.
“We are thrilled President Obama is honoring Harvey Milk with the Medal of Freedom. He’s an American hero and trailblazer whose election more than 30 years ago triggered a political awakening that inspires us still today. This recognition sends an important message about how critical political leadership will be in making all Americans equal in the eyes of the law,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund
Stuart Milk, nephew of the slain San Francisco County supervisor, echoed Wolfe’s praise, saying, “The President's action today (Thursday) touches the core of our very human hearts and my uncle would be so proud of this high honor. His election was, for him, a beginning--a chance to make real change. That change is happening, but we still have so far to go. I hope this recognition inspires LGBT Americans everywhere to heed Harvey's call to run for office, to serve openly, to live proudly with authenticity and to demand the equality that we all deserve.”
Meanwhile, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force also applauded the inclusion of tennis star Billie Jean King as one of the awardees.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"Today's White House announcement of Medal of Freedom awards to the late Harvey Milk and to Billie Jean King honors two openly gay and lesbian people for their outstanding contributions to the nation," said Rea Carey, the organization's executive director. "We applaud and cheer that Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King's dedication to freedom and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and for women and girls is at last being recognized with our country's highest civilian honor."
The White House said the Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
President Obama said, "These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds. Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way.
President Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 12, to the following awardees or their representatives, in addition to Billy Jean King and Harvey Milk.
Nancy Goodman Brinker,founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leading breast cancer grass roots organization. Brinker established the organization in memory of her sister, who passed away from breast cancer in 1980. Through innovative events like Race for the Cure, the organization has given and invested over $1.3 billion for research, health services and education services since its founding in 1982 and developed a worldwide grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists who are working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find cures. Brinker has received several awards for her work, and has also served in government as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary (2001 – 2003), Chief of Protocol of the U.S. (2007 – 2009), and Chair of the President’s Cancer Panel (1990). In May, Nancy Goodman Brinker was named the first-ever World Health Organization's Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control.
Pedro José Greer, Jr., a physician and the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the Florida International University School of Medicine, where he also serves as Chair of the Department of Humanities, Health and Society. Dr. Greer is the founder of Camillus Health Concern, an agency that provides medical care to over 10,000 homeless patients a year in the city of Miami. He is also the founder and medical director of the St. John Bosco Clinic which provides basic primary medical care to disadvantaged children and adults in the Little Havana community. He has been recognized by Presidents Clinton, Bush, Sr., and Carter for his work with Miami's poor . He is also the recipient of three Papal Medals as well as the prestigious MacArthur "genius grant". He currently has a joint private practice with his father, Pedro Greer, Sr.
Stephen Hawking,an internationally-recognized theoretical physicist who has a severe physical disability due to motor neuron disease. He is the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, a post previously held by Isaac Newton in 1669. In addition to his pioneering academic research in mathematics and physics, Hawking has penned three popular science books, including the bestselling A Brief History of Time. Hawking, a British citizen, believes that non-academics should be able to access his work just as physicists are, and has also published a children’s science book with his daughter. His persistence and dedication has unlocked new pathways of discovery and inspired everyday citizens.
Jack Kemp, who passed away in May 2009, served as a U.S. Congressman (1971 – 1989), Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1989 – 1993), and Republican Nominee for Vice President (1996). Prior to entering public service, Kemp was a professional football player (1957 – 1969) and led the Buffalo Bills to American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965. In Congress and as a Cabinet Secretary, Kemp was a self-described "bleeding heart conservative" who worked to encourage development in underserved urban communities. In the years leading up to his death, Kemp continued seeking new solutions, raising public attention about the challenge of poverty, and working across party lines to improve the lives of Americans and others around the world.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, who has served in the United States Senate for forty-six years, and has been one of the greatest lawmakers – and leaders – of our time. From reforming our public schools to strengthening civil rights laws and supporting working Americans, Senator Kennedy has dedicated his career to fighting for equal opportunity, fairness and justice for all Americans. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care, and has succeeded in doing so for countless children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. He has called health care reform the "cause of his life," and has championed nearly every health care bill enacted by Congress over the course of the last five decades. Known as the "Lion of the Senate," Senator Kennedy is widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his commitment to progress and his ability to legislate.
Rev. Joseph Lowery, a leader in the U.S. civil rights movement since the early 1950s. It was in Mobile, Alabama, at this time –that he headed the Alabama Civic Affairs Association; the organization which led the Movement to desegregate buses and public accommodations. Rev. Lowery later co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a leading civil rights organization, with Dr. Martin Luther King, and was chosen by Dr. King to Chair the Delegation delivering the demands of the Selma-to-Montgomery March to Alabama Governor George Wallace.. Rev. Lowery is a minister in the United Methodist Church, and has continued to highlight important civil rights issues in the U.S. and worldwide, including apartheid in South Africa, since the 1960s.
Joe Medicine Crow – High Bird, the last living Plains Indian war chief, is the author of seminal works in Native American history and culture. He is the last person alive to have received direct oral testimony from a participant in the Battle of the Little Bighorn: his grandfather was a scout for General George Armstrong Custer. A veteran of World War II, Medicine Crow accomplished during the war all of the four tasks required to become a "war chief," including stealing fifty Nazi SS horses from a German camp. Medicine Crow was the first member of his tribe to attend college, receiving his master’s degree in anthropology in 1939, and continues to lecture at universities and notable institutions like the United Nations. His contributions to the preservation of the culture and history of the First Americans are matched only by his importance as a role model to young Native Americans across the country.
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman ever to sit on the United States Supreme Court. Nominated by President Reagan in 1981, she served until her retirement in 2006. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, O’Connor served as a state trial and appellate judge in Arizona. She was also as a member of the Arizona state senate, where she became the first woman in the United States ever to lead a state senate as Senate Majority Leader. At a time when women rarely entered the legal profession, O’Connor graduated Stanford Law School third in her class, where she served on the Stanford Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. Since retiring from the Supreme Court in 2006, O’Connor has served as Chancellor of the College of William and Mary, on the Board of Trustees of the National Constitution Center, and participated in the Iraq Study Group in 2006, as well as giving numerous lectures on public service. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding achievements and public service.
Sidney Poitier, a groundbreaking actor, becoming the top black movie star in the 1950s and 1960s. Poitier is the first African American to be nominated and win a Best Actor Academy Award, receive an award at a top international film festival (Venice Film Festival), and be the top grossing movie star in the United States. Poitier insisted that the film crew on The Lost Man be at least 50 percent African American, and starred in the first mainstream movies portraying "acceptable" interracial marriages and interracial kissing. Poitier began his acting career without any training or experience by auditioning at the American Negro Theatre.
Chita Rivera, an accomplished and versatile actress, singer, and dancer, who has won Two Tony Awards and received seven more nominations while breaking barriers and inspiring a generation of women to follow in her footsteps. In 2002, she became the first Hispanic recipient of the coveted Kennedy Center Honor. Propelled to stardom by her electric performance as Anita in the original Broadway premiere of West Side Story, Rivera went on to star in additional landmark musicals such as Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, and Jerry’s Girls. She recently starred in The Dancer’s Life, an autobiographical musical about her celebrated life in the theatre.
Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland (1990 – 1997) and a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997 – 2002), a post that required her to end her presidency four months early. Robinson served as a prominent member of the Irish Senate prior to her election as President. She continues to bring attention to international issues as Honorary President of Oxfam International, and Chairs the Board of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI Alliance). Since 2002 she has been President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, based in New York, which is an organization she founded to make human rights the compass which charts a course for globalization that is fair, just and benefits all.
Janet Davison Rowley , M.D., the Blum Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics at The University of Chicago. She is an American human geneticist and the first scientist to identify a chromosomal translocation as the cause of leukemia and other cancers. Rowley is internationally renowned for her studies of chromosome abnormalities in human leukemia and lymphoma, which have led to dramatically improved survival rates for previously incurable cancers and the development of targeted therapies. In 1999 President Clinton awarded her the National Medal of Science--the nation's highest scientific honor.
Desmond Tutu, an Anglican Archbishop emeritus who was a leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. Widely regarded as "South Africa's moral conscience," he served as the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) from 1978 – 1985, where he led a formidable crusade in support of justice and racial reconciliation in South Africa. He received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work through SACC in 1984. Tutu was elected Archbishop of Cape Town in 1986, and the Chair of the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. He retired as Archbishop in 1996 and is currently Chair of the Elders.
Muhammad Yunus, a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and has pioneered the use of "micro-loans" to provide credit to poor individuals without collateral. Dr. Yunus, an economist by training, founded the Grameen Bank in 1983 in his native Bangladesh to provide small, low-interest loans to the poor to help better their livelihood and communities. Despite its low interest rates and lending to poor individuals, Grameen Bank is sustainable and 98% percent of its loans are repaid – higher than other banking systems. It has spread its successful model throughout the world. Dr. Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill sponsored by Congresswoman Susan Davis (Democrat, California) to help states create absentee ballot tracking systems. The Absentee Ballot Track, Receive and Confirm (TRAC) Act (H.R. 2510) was approved by a voice vote.
An absentee ballot tracking system allows voters to easily find out, online or through an automated phone system, whether an elections office has sent out a ballot, whether a completed ballot has arrived back at the registrar’s office and whether the ballot was actually counted. If a ballot is not counted, the voter would also learn the reason.
“Voters across the nation are increasingly choosing to cast their ballots by mail because it is more convenient and they have more time to study their choices,” said Davis, a San Diegan who serves as a member of the House Administration Committee which oversees federal elections. “However, many voters have been hesitant to do so because they fear their ballots would get “lost” in the system. In most cases, the fear of one’s mail-in ballot somehow being lost in the system is unfounded--but we all know the concern is still there.”
The TRAC Act would allow the federal government to reimburse states, through a grants program, for establishing tracking systems. The bill does not mandate any state to set up a tracking system.
Many elections offices are already tracking ballots with great success. California law requires that all counties establish absentee ballot tracking systems, and the systems are quite popular with voters and elections officials.
Many of the phone calls to election offices are from voters trying to track their absentee ballot. Allowing voters to check on their ballot themselves would take a strain off elections offices and ultimately save costs, without compromising security or privacy. Moreover, the ability to check absentee status round the clock is a convenient service for voters, especially for military and overseas voters in various time zones.
Davis sponsored H.R. 2510 with her Republican colleague Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California.
Bill would add more protections to Violence Against Women Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)-- Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democrat, Florida ) and Congressman Ted Poe (Republican, Texas ) on Thursday announced bipartisan legislation which will make urgently needed corrections and improvements to the Violence Against Women Act. The Improving Assistance to Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims Act of 2009 (H.R. 3401) will refocus VAWA to help address the full range of critical needs that today’s domestic violence victims face.
“Since VAWA first passed in 1994, the number of women killed by their intimate partners has decreased by 24 percent” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “With these important changes we will ensure that this law continues to be a vital resource for prosecutors, social workers, and all of those committed to ending the scourge of domestic violence.”
“I am pleased to work with my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in introducing this legislation," said Rep. Poe. "I believe that it shows again that victims’ issues are people issues, not partisan issues. Approximately 2.3 million people each year in the United States are raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. Women are 90 – 95 percent more likely to suffer domestic violence than men. As founder and co-chair of the Victims’ Rights Caucus, it is imperative that we not only make these changes to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), but that we do so in a timely fashion. We must ensure that women who are victims of violence have access to the vital services they need.”
Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Poe drafted this legislation to amend the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to improve assistance to domestic and sexual violence victims. Among other important changes, this bill, which was drafted with the aid of victim advocates in the field, will:
Enhance the privacy protections for victims by ensuring that private information, including home addresses are not published on the Internet.
Ensure that more young victims of stalking and dating violence can find youth-oriented services;
Increase the number of sexual assault nurse examiners, who provide expert testimony, proper evidence collection, and accurate documentation of injuries. These sexual assault nurse examiners are often critical to the successful prosecution of offenders;
Give sexual assault victims greater peace of mind, by allowing offenders to be tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infection at earlier stages in criminal proceedings;
Clarify that nothing in VAWA prohibits grantees from reporting child abuse or neglect, or elder abuse or neglect, in states that don’t mandate reporting; and
Strengthen protections in existing law for battered immigrant women, whose batterers often escalate the cycle of violence with impunity due to the victim’s fear of deportation by authorities if she reports abuse.
“With these vital adjustments to the Violence Against Women Act, Congress will ensure that the law is as effective and strong as it was intended to be and that VAWA will continue to meet the needs of those it seeks to protect as we move forward,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this important bipartisan initiative.”
Feinstein-Cardin bill would ban most hunting from aircraft
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Democratic U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein of California and Benjamin Cardin of Maryland on Wednesday introduced legislation to explicitly ban the inhumane practice of allowing hunters to shoot and kill wildlife, such as wolves, from aircraft.
In 1971, Congress banned aerial hunting of wildlife after gruesome images of the cruel practice were broadcast on television. However, there is a loophole in the law that permits States to allow private citizens to engage in airborne hunting under the guise of wildlife management. For example, the State of Alaska currently allows private citizens to hunt wolves from aircraft, citing the need to protect herds of caribou and moose.
The Feinstein-Cardin legislation would close the loophole in the Aerial Hunting Act. It would ban civilians from aerial hunting and limit the practice to employees of federal and state wildlife agencies. This will ensure that this practice is used solely for the purpose of responsible and biologically necessary animal population control, such as when the sustainability of a wildlife population’s is significantly threatened by an excess of predators.
The bill is endorsed by the Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society of the United States, and nine former members of the Alaska Board of Game.
“Shooting wildlife from airplanes is not sport -- it is cruel and inhumane. It undermines the hunting principle of a fair chase and often leads to a slow and painful death for the hunted animals. This practice should be banned,” Senator Feinstein said. “So, I’ve introduced a balanced bill that will enable states to responsibly manage wildlife populations, but ban the cruel practice of aerial hunting for sport. And it will not impinge on legitimate sport hunting.”
“Hunting is a part of America’s culture and history, but there is no sport in aerial practices that lead to such cruel and painful deaths for wild animals. This bill will help close the loopholes and return us to a proper balance between responsible population control and hunting for sport,” said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. “Every legitimate hunter should support this bill and its goals.”
Lieberman
measure requires
states to verify birth records before issuing licenses
WASHINGTON—The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Joe Lieberman, (Independent-C0nnecticut)., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, (Republican-Maine)., Wednesday reported out legislation to fix the unworkable REAL ID Act of 2005, which sought to increase the security of drivers' licenses in order to deny terrorists the ability to board airplanes and enter federal buildings.
The Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification (PASS ID) Act, S. 1261 would strengthen the security of drivers' licenses and other identification, as recommended by the 9/11 Commission, in a manner with which states can comply. The bill was approved by a unanimous voice vote after being amended to require that motor vehicle departments verify the authenticity of birth records prior to issuing a driver's license and to protect the current screening authority of the Transportation Security Administration. The Committee also approved the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2009, S. 372, the nomination of Tara J. O'Toole to be Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, two other nominations, seven other substantive bills and a series of postal naming bills, all by voice votes.
"I thank my colleagues for their hard work pushing through an ambitious agenda of legislation and nominations," Lieberman said. "The PASS ID Act, in particular, is a critical piece of legislation that will make our country safer by keeping fraudulent identification documents out of the hands of terrorists. Secure identification is at the very heart of our homeland security. I believe we strengthened the security provisions in this bill today, and that is why I am pleased to support it. I am also pleased that federal employees - under certain circumstances - will be able to bring claims of employer retaliation to court under the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, which is part of our fight against waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government."
Collins, working with Senators George Voinovich, (Republican-Ohio); Daniel Akaka, (Democrat-Hawii); and Lieberman, brokered the compromise language that protects airport security officials from potential lawsuits should they prevent passengers without a compliant driver's license from boarding a plane. Language in the original bill could have had a chilling effect on these legitimate security activities, Collins said. Noting the importance of the compromise amendment, Collins said that "protecting TSA security officials from potential litigation when they exercise their skills, judgment and experience and refuse to permit a passenger without a compliant license to board a plane is absolutely critical. With this amendment, I believe the bill strikes the proper balance between the goal of improved security and the concerns about cost and privacy."
The PASS ID Act improves the REAL ID law by providing states with the flexibility they need, reducing the costs of implementation, and ensuring privacy within the system. The Committee accepted a Lieberman-Collins amendment that also requires the verification of birth records, helps states digitize their birth records so that those records can be easily verified by motor vehicle departments, and clarifies the privacy restrictions on the personal information stored on a license. An amendment by Sen. Jon Tester, (Democrat-Montana), that would require the Privacy Officer at the Department of Homeland Security to perform an annual report on privacy implications of PASS ID was also accepted.
SHONDA FILE
FDA takes action against Israeli subsidiary accused of making adulterated drugs for pets
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a consent decree of permanent injunction filed Friday, that prohibits Teva Animal Health Inc., its president, and two principals from its parent company, from manufacturing and distributing adulterated veterinary drugs. The injunction, once entered by the court, will prevent the defendants from manufacturing and distributing veterinary drugs until they achieve compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and obtain FDA approval.
“Good manufacturing practice standards are the backbone of product quality and the instrument on which the FDA relies most heavily for assurance that veterinary drug products are safe and effective,” said Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
During inspections between 2007 and 2009, the FDA found significant cGMP violations at Teva Animal Health's facilities, located in St. Joseph, Mo.
Under the terms of the consent decree, Teva Animal Health cannot resume manufacturing and distributing veterinary drugs until adequate methods, facilities, and controls are established and an independent expert inspects the facilities and procedures and certifies that they comply with cGMP. The FDA also will also inspect Teva Animal Health's facilities as needed before authorizing the company to resume operations. If, after resuming operations, the defendants fail to comply with any provision of the consent decree, cGMP, or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA may order the company to stop manufacturing and distributing veterinary drugs, recall the products, or take other corrective actions.
“The FDA will not tolerate the manufacture and distribution of adulterated animal drugs,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “Veterinarians and pet owners can be assured that the FDA will investigate and take regulatory actions against companies that produce animal drugs under conditions and controls that are inadequate to assure their safety and quality.”
In the event of future violations, the consent decree also subjects Teva Animal Health to payments of $20,000 for each day the defendants fail to comply with any provision of the decree and an additional $25,000 for each shipment of veterinary drugs in violation of the decree, up to $7.5 million per year.
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